ObamaCare won't be paying for abortions in Louisiana, the fourth such state, so far. Also, Louisiana's health secretary will be given expanded authority to revoke licenses of unsafe abortion clinics.
-- From "La. Senate backs abortion regulation bills" by The Associated Press 6/14/10
The measure by Rep. Fred Mills, D-Parks, would allow the head of the Department of Health and Hospitals to immediately suspend a license if he decides there is an immediate health or safety threat at one of a handful of clinics in the state that provide abortions.
The proposal also would increase the health secretary's authority to refuse to renew a license, revoke an existing license or deny a license if an investigation finds any violation of state or federal regulations.
Supporters say the bill would put the health secretary's authority over outpatient abortion clinics in line with the authority he has over other kinds of health care facilities, like pediatric day care, substance abuse and adult day care facilities.
Senators gave unanimous backing to the measure, sending it to the governor's desk. It already had received unanimous approval from the House. Gov. Bobby Jindal supports the bill.
The Senate also approved a proposed ban on coverage for elective abortions in the insurance purchasing pools set up by the federal health overhaul legislation. The 28-3 vote of the Senate sends the measure by Rep. Frank Hoffmann, R-West Monroe, back to the House for approval of changes.
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From "Louisiana to Become Fourth State to Opt Out of Abortion Funding in Health Care" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor 6/14/10
While HB 1247 has already passed the House, it must now receive formal concurrence in the House due to changes made in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Once the House stamps the changes in the next few days, the bill will be sent to Governor Jindal for his expected signature.
Opt-out legislation has been signed into law by three states, Arizona, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and is awaiting action from the governor of Missouri. Governors in Oklahoma and Florida vetoed similar legislation.
Under the new health care law, states will be in charge of their own health care exchanges that are available for individuals and small businesses. The bill will keep any insurance plans on the Louisiana exchange from offering abortion coverage.
Meanwhile, at the Louisiana legislature, the Ultrasound Before Abortion Act, SB 528, will be voted on Wednesday on the floor of the House of Representatives.
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