HHS investigates 13 states allegedly coercing health insurance groups to pay for abortions
Caroline MolloyThirteen states are under investigation following allegations that they are forcing healthcare entities to pay for abortions despite conscience objections, potentially in violation of a federal healthcare conscience law, according to a March 19 press release from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The HHS’ Office for Civil Rights is investigating the states for policies potentially in violation of the Weldon Amendment, which prohibits federal, state, or local government discrimination against healthcare entities that refuse to pay for or cover abortions, according to the release.
The release did not provide a list of which states are under investigation.
However, AP News reported that the 13 states with policies requiring insurance companies to provide abortion coverage are: California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
HHS Office for Civil Rights’ Director Paula Stannard said the office “launches these investigations to address certain states’ alleged disregard of, or confusion about, compliance with the Weldon Amendment.”
She explained that the Amendment ensures that healthcare entities, including insurance providers, “are protected from state discrimination for not paying for, or providing coverage of, abortion contrary to conscience. Period.”
