Senate Votes to Cover Contraceptives and Restrict Abortion for Federal Employees

The U.S. Senate will vote today on a bill mandating that most federal worker’s health plans cover prescription contraceptives. It has already given voice-vote approval to the legislation and is expected to pass the bill today.

The vast majority of federal worker’s health care plans fall under the provision, with the exceptions of plans that do not cover any prescriptions and plans sold by religious groups that object to contraceptive use. The voice-vote for this measure came right before the Senate approved an amendment forbidding federal health care plans to cover abortion unless the woman’s life is in danger or she is a rape or incest victim.

Many Senators commented that they hoped this provision would pressure all health care plans to provide contraceptive coverage. The Senators that drafted the bill for federal workers are also hoping to pass a similar one requiring all health care plans to cover prescription contraceptives.

Media Resources: AP - July 30, 1998

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