OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Senate passed a measure requiring Washington insurers offering maternity care to also cover elective abortions.
The measure now heads to the House, where it has passed in previous years but ultimately stalled when the Senate was controlled by Republicans.
In addition to linking abortion coverage with maternity care, under the bill, health plans issued or renewed after Jan. 1, 2019 are required to provide co-payment and deductible-free coverage for all contraceptive drugs, devices, as well as voluntary sterilization, and any consultations or other procedures that are necessary.