Oklahoma Anti-Abortion Insurance Bill Heads To Governor's Desk

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma House has given final approval to anti-abortion legislation that prohibits standard health insurance policies sold in Oklahoma from including coverage of elective abortions.

The measure by Sen. Anthony Sykes of Oklahoma City and state Rep. Mike Ritze of Broken Arrow would require people who want abortion coverage to purchase optional supplemental insurance with a separate premium.

Ritze, a physician who has delivered more than 2,000 babies, said Wednesday Oklahomans who oppose abortion should not be forced to indirectly subsidize the industry through their health insurance policy.

Ritze says the measure prevents Oklahomans from having to violate their moral beliefs if they purchase health insurance coverage.

The Senate-passed measure was approved 84-10 by the House and now goes to Gov. Mary Fallin to be signed into law.