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Wake Reinstates Abortion Ban
Special Report - December 7, 2010
The Wake County Board of Commissioners, with a new Republican majority after the midterm elections last month, has reinstated a ban on elective abortion coverage in county employee insurance plans. The 4–3 party line vote on December 6 reversed a resolution passed in March 2010 that directed county manager David Cooke to reinstate coverage for elective abortions after such coverage had been removed through administrative channels. The ban applies to health care coverage for elective abortions, which are defined as medically unnecessary. The county’s health care plan for employees will no longer cover the cost of elective abortions and associated administrative expenses “unless the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.”
Wake County is the latest local government across the state to remove the coverage over a concern that such coverage in government health plans could violate a 1981 State Supreme Court case. The change was one of several bold votes taken by the Board after four members were sworn in as a result of November’s elections, which saw Republican candidates sweep all the Board’s open seats. The sweep also meant a change in leadership as Republican Paul Coble was elected chairman and newcomer Republican Phil Matthews was elected vice chairman.
Related resources:
Abortion Back For Wake County - March 19, 2010
Locals Limit Taxpayer Funded Abortion - February 18, 2010
Bill Would End State Insured Abortions - June 2, 2008
Copyright © 2010. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.
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