The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires states to operate and maintain “health insurance exchanges” to provide a menu of low cost, government subsidized insurance plans to help otherwise uninsured people get access to necessary health care. The PPACA specifically permits a state to prohibit insurance providers that participate in the state exchange from covering elective abortion services. To assure that elective abortion is not included in the Pennsylvania exchange, the Commonwealth must affirmatively opt out by passing a state law.
Senate Bill 3 is a proposal that will clearly prohibit the taxpayer supported insurance plans from covering abortion. The measure passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with a vote of 19-6.
Senate Appropriation Committee members who voted yes on SB 3:
- Jake Corman, (R-34) Chair
- Robert M. Tomlinson (R-6)
- David G. Argall (R-29)
- Lisa Baker (R-20)
- Mike Brubaker (R-36)
- John R. Gordner (R-27)
- Stewart J. Greenleaf (R-12)
- John Pippy (R-37)
- John C. Rafferty Jr. (R-44)
- Lloyd K. Smucker (R-13)
- Patricia H. Vance (R-31)
- Michael L. Waugh (R-28)
- Mary Jo White (R-21)
- John P. Blake (D-22)
- Lisa M. Boscola (D-18)
- John N. Wozniak (D-35)
- John T. Yudichak (D-14)
- Dominic Pileggi (R-9), ex-officio
- Joseph B. Scarnati III (R-25) ex-officio
In the coming weeks, SB 3 will be considered on the Senate floor. Visit, call, write or e-mail your state Senator to ask him or her to vote YES on Senate Bill 3.
