Abortion Coverage Mandates in 13 Democrat-Led States Face Federal Civil Rights Review

By Gabrielle M. Etzel | Washington Examiner

The Trump administration is launching civil rights investigations into the 13 Democrat-led states that require private health insurance plans to pay for abortions, arguing that state mandates for abortion insurance coverage violate religious and conscience rights protections.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights sent 13 states letters late Wednesday evening, opening investigations into whether their requirements violate conscience protections under federal rules prohibiting state and local governments from discriminating against healthcare entities that refuse to facilitate abortions. 

Paula Stannard, Director for HHS’ OCR, said in a press release that the investigations involve alleged violations of the Weldon Amendment, a provision of law that ties federal funding to anti-abortion conscience protections for all healthcare entities, including hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies. 

Trump administration officials told reporters ahead of the announcement that the current laws in the 13 states that mandate abortion coverage mean that thousands of employers and individuals are required to either forgo health insurance or purchase plans that provide abortion coverage despite their conscientious objection.

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