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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
04/19/2024 09:02 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20130&cosponId=20267
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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: May 20, 2016 11:00 AM
From: Representative Steven J. Santarsiero
To: All House members
Subject: Repeal Act 13 of 2013
 
In the near future I plan to introduce legislation repealing the prohibitions against using private funds to purchase an insurance policy on the Marketplace which includes coverage for abortion-related services.

In light of recent legislative action attempting to curtail access to women’s health, this legislation is all the more necessary to ensure that all women have access to a full range of health care options, including abortion care services, and live their lives free from violence and reproductive coercion.

Unfortunately, under Act 13, the only instances under which a health insurance plan, purchased through the Marketplace, could cover abortion-related services are when an abortion is necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman as certified by a physician, or in the case of rape or incest which has been reported to the authorities together with the name of the perpetrator, if known. There is no exemption to protect the health of a pregnant woman.

The prohibitions put in place by Act 13 are particularly concerning considering the following:
  • In our country around 68% of rapes are not reported to law enforcement, according to Rape Abuse and Incest National Network.
  • No pregnancy is risk-free. In 2012 the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a statement saying, "Abortions are necessary in a number of circumstances to save the life of a woman or to preserve her health. Unfortunately, pregnancy is not a risk-free life event."
The current prohibition further stigmatizes a procedure that in many cases is necessary to save the life of a woman or to protect her physical and mental well-being. My legislation would ensure that the often difficult decision to have an abortion is made by a pregnant woman, her family and her physician, not politicians in Harrisburg.
Federal and State law, already in effect prior to the passage of Act 13, prohibits the use of public funds for abortion services. Act 13 represents an unnecessary overreach into the private lives, finances and freedoms of women across the Commonwealth.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to protect women’s rights because a right without access is no right at all.


Introduced as HB2331