Thursday May 27, 2010
One More Time: Oklahoma Legislature Faces down Governor on Abortion Coverage Veto
By Peter J. Smith
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 27, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pro-abortion Governor Brad Henry and the pro-life Oklahoma legislature are now locked in their final battle for this year’s legislative session. Late Wednesday evening the governor vetoed a measure that would prohibit health insurance providers in Oklahoma from subsidizing elective abortions.
H.R. 3290 would apply to all health insurers, including those not participating in the state health exchange that goes into effect in 2014.
The legislation states: “No health plan, including health insurance contracts, plans or policies, offered outside of the state Exchange, but within the state, shall provide coverage for elective abortions.”
The only exceptions allowed in the law would be for cases of rape, incest, or to prevent the death of the mother.
The bill, however, does specify that individuals can purchase “separate supplemental coverage for abortion,” but that such coverage must require that the individual pays a separate premium.
So far, the legislature has successfully gained two-thirds majorities in both chambers to overturn Henry’s vetoes of three previous pro-life bills this year.
However, the governor is daring the legislature to mount a veto override with only one day remaining until lawmakers wrap up the people’s business on Friday.
The Senate voted 32-13 last Wednesday for H.R. 3290, which had already been approved by the House of Representatives in a 70 – 21 vote. The House is nearly certain to override the veto. But as with the other pro-life bills enacted into law over the governor’s objections, pro-life advocates must retain all 32 Senate votes to achieve victory.
For more information on the Oklahoma legislature click here.
See related coverage:
Showdown at the OK Capitol: Senate Overrides Gov’s Veto of Abortion Law
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/may/10052501.html
Oklahoma Legislature Bans Abortion Coverage, Expects Showdown with Governor
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/may/10052114.html
Oklahoma Senate Overrides Governor Veto of Pro-Life Legislation
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/apr/10042702.html