Abortion coverage ban gets panel's backing

— A Senate panel has approved legislation that would ban insurers in the exchange created under the health-care law from covering abortions, while the sponsor of a ban on abortions past 20 weeks says he’s facing resistance to his proposal.

By a 5-2 vote, the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Wednesday endorsed legislation that would bar abortion coverage in the insurance exchange, except for cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.

The measure has already passed the House and heads to the Senate for a vote.

The sponsor of a separate proposal that would ban abortions 20 weeks into a pregnancy is delaying on presenting his bill over concerns from Democrats on the panel about the proposal’s lack of exemptions for rape and incest.

Upcoming Events