Abortion Insurance Coverage:

Abortion Insurance Coverage and state requirements governing private insurers' coverage of abortion are less publicly known than other, more sensational issues related to abortion. A few states prohibit private insurers from covering abortion services, except where the mother's life is in danger.

Though lawsuits have been brought to challenge these restrictions, they have had marginal and results. For example, in 1986, a federal appeals court found Rhode Island's requirement that private insurers exclude coverage for normal, on demand abortions, to be invalid. Then in 1992, a federal district court found a similar Missouri statute, to be valid. More frequently, the issues that have arisen have been states banning abortion coverage in public workers' health coverage or instances where public funding is involved to pay for coverage. Policy issues have run the full spectrum, from prohibiting coverage for abortion services altogether to offering coverage only when necessary to protect a woman's health or life; or in cases of rape, incest or fetal deformity.

Five states restrict insurance coverage of abortion in private insurance plans, while four others limit coverage to when the woman's life is endangered. There is one state that limits coverage to life endangerment, rape, or incest. In most, additional abortion coverage is permitted only through purchase of an additional rider and payment of an additional premium, but there are twelve states that restrict abortion coverage in all insurance plans for public employees. Three states provide abortion coverage only when the woman's life is endangered, but six states, in addition to offering coverage to save the woman's life, provide coverage to protect the woman's health or in cases of rape, incest, or fetal deformity. Two states prohibit insurance coverage of abortion for public employees, while one state only allows coverage for abortion when the woman's life is endangered, or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest, and the coverage is purchased by the primary insured in an additional rider, at additional cost.

The following table gives a breakdown of current state insurance conditions regarding abortion coverage:

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