In yet another effort to restrict the availability of the medical procedure, conservatives in Kansas are trying to ban insurance companies from providing elective abortion coverage.

 

The new law, adopted by the state legislature and supported by Governor Sam Brownback, recently went into effect, prompting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to sue the state. The ACLU contends the law is unconstitutional and discriminates against women because it doesn’t apply similar insurance limits on men’s health care needs.

 

The insurance law represents the fifth antiabortion bill passed this year by Kansas lawmakers.

 

Kansas this year has tried to shut down clinics offering abortions by imposing new licensing rules, and it has attempted to strip Planned Parenthood of federal family-planning funds.

 

Since 2010, nine other states have adopted legislation restricting insurance coverage of abortion.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Kansas Bars Insurers from Covering Abortions; ACLU Sues (by Joe Harris, Courthouse News Service)

ACLU Sues State of Kansas over Limits on Abortion Insurance (by Brad Cooper, Kansas City Star)

ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri v. Sandy Praeger (pdf)

House Bill 2075 (Kansas Legislature) (pdf)

Kansas Relents and Allows a Single Abortion Provider in the State, but That’s Not Good Enough for the Judge (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)