On Thursday morning members of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee heard testimony from medical professionals, clergy and citizen-activists alike in favor of the Reproductive Parity Act.
The Reproductive Parity Act would protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions by requiring insurance plans to offer full coverage for reproductive health.
“Nothing is more personal or private than a woman’s freedom to make her own health care decisions,” said Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle), chair of the Health Care and Wellness Committee. “The voters have told us that personal privacy and reproductive freedom are Washington values, and these values are at risk unless we take action in Olympia.”
Today most insurance carriers in Washington voluntarily cover both maternity services and abortion services. However, the Affordable Care Act could potentially roll back these reproductive choices by denying coverage for terminating a pregnancy. This change would interfere with a woman’s ability to make the best decisions for her family and her health.
“Private medical decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor, not dictated by the religious beliefs of politicians or corporate bosses,” said Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), vice chair of the Health Care and Wellness Committee. “That freedom to choose is under attack, here in Washington and around the nation, and women could lose it unless they stand up and speak out.”
The Health Care and Wellness Committee is expected to vote on the proposed law in coming days.