Health Care Reform:

Voter Guide: Abortion

The Issue:

Abortion has been legal in the United States since 1973. Whether or not government funds will pay for them, or insurers will be required to cover abortions, is a concern for many people.

Proposals:

Insurers Not Required to Pay for Abortions

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it’s up to health insurers to decide if they want to cover abortions. That changes in in 2014, when the online insurance markets known as the health exchanges start. The law requires that at least one health plan in each exchange cover the cost of an abortion.

Federal Dollars Won’t Pay for Abortions

The law prohibits public funds from being used to pay for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when pregnancy poses life-threatening danger to the mother.

Making Abortion Illegal

Candidates have talked about whether abortion should remain legal and in what circumstances. However, the Supreme Court would have to overturn the 1973 decision Roe v. Wade to make abortion illegal nationwide.