Bill guards against abortion restrictions, health care cuts
SALEM — Oregon lawmakers, anticipating federal abortion restrictions and health care cuts, considered a proposed law Wednesday that would ban interference in terminating a pregnancy, and would ensure full reproductive health care coverage.
The measure sponsored by a host of lawmakers in one of America’s most liberal states could set a precedent for other states.
But some of the witnesses who testified Wednesday before the House Committee on Health Care warned the legislation could provoke the federal government to cut up to $10.7 billion in funds to Oregon.
The bill requires coverage of medical services, drugs and products related to reproductive health, with no co-pay or deductible. The Oregon Health Authority would implement programs to reimburse those costs to those “who would be eligible for medical assistance if not for certain federal requirements.”
Read more: http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/5155990-151/bill-guards-against-abortion-restrictions-health-care-cuts