WEST virginia Legislature

2016 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 571

By Senators Karnes, Boso, Cline, Ferns, Leonhardt, Maynard, Mullins, Sypolt and Trump

[Introduced February 10, 2016;
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16G-10, relating to prohibiting abortion coverage in qualified health care plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2017; and providing an exception to the prohibition when a mother’s life is in danger.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16G-10, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 16G. WEST VIRGINIA HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE ACT.

§33-16G-10. Opt-out of abortion coverage.

Abortion coverage in qualified health plans offered through the exchange, whether the exchange is run solely by the state, in partnership with the federal government or solely by the federal government, is prohibited in those plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2017: Provided, That the prohibition does not prohibit coverage of abortion if the mother’s life is in danger.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit abortion coverage in qualified health care plans on or after January 1, 2017 with the exception for coverage when a mother’s life is in danger.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.