The importance of coverage
No woman plans to have an abortion, but having insurance coverage for it is important to ensure that every woman can get safe, legal care. The average out-of-pocket cost of a first-trimester abortion is around $450. For many women living paycheck to paycheck, this price is out of reach. Without insurance coverage of abortion, many women face a barrier to accessing the care they need, and some may resort to drastic measures.

Public insurance coverage
For 35 years, millions of women who rely upon the federal government for their health care have been denied insurance coverage of abortion thanks to the Hyde Amendment. Thankfully, New York has long recognized that all women should have equal access to comprehensive reproductive health care and therefore ensures that state Medicaid programs include coverage for abortion. We support continued state Medicaid funding for abortion.

Private insurance and health care reform
Nationwide, more than 80% of private insurance plans currently include coverage of abortion as a basic component of women’s health care. But health care reform could change that. The Affordable Care Act included an amendment that allows states to prohibit private insurance companies from offering abortion coverage in policies sold on the new state health care exchanges that will open in 2014.

As of fall 2011, 15 states have passed restrictions on private insurance coverage of abortion. As New York implements health care reform, there is a real danger that women could lose this coverage for abortion.

Take a look. Take a stand.
You can help us ensure that insurance companies are not forced to eliminate abortion coverage from their health plans in the new health care system.

Click here to tell us if you insurance plan currently covers abortion care.