Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has added an anti-abortion amendment to a health care bill recently passed by the state’s General Assembly.
If approved, the amended law would forbid the state from providing abortion coverage as part of its health insurance exchanges, except in cases of rape, incest or a threat to the mother’s life.
The General Assembly passed legislation allowing for the exchanges to be set up as required by the federal health care law that mandates more options for the uninsured.
Abortion foes praised McDonnell’s move, saying it reflects the values of the majority of Virginians.
“Without a change like [McDonnell’s] amendment, pro-life citizens opposed to abortion will be mandated to fund this unethical destruction of human life,” said a statement from Victoria Cobb, president of the Richmond-based Family Foundation.
NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia called the amendment an “attack on women’s health,” and “another example of big government intrusion into private medical decisions.”
The General Assembly will consider the amendment Wednesday. The Republican-led House is expected to approve the amendment, but its fate remains uncertain in the Democratic-led Senate.
Proponents of the amendment are hoping for at least two pro-life Democrats – a group that includes Sen. Chuck Colgan of Manassas – to vote for the amendment. Should that occur, there could be a 20-20 split, and the deciding vote would be cast by pro-life Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.
