AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) A bill to require Maine’s Medicaid program and private insurers to cover abortion by 2020 is moving ahead in the state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature.
The Senate voted 19-16 Tuesday to favor the bill, which exempts religious employers . The House previously voted 79-63.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ administration backed the bill, which still faces procedural votes.
Supporters agree with a civil liberties group’s lawsuit arguing Maine’s ban on state Medicaid funding for abortions discriminates against low-income people. Republicans and some Democrats argue taxpayer-funded abortions are unjust.
Federal funds can only fund abortions that involve rape, incest or life endangerment.
Abortion rights research group Guttmacher Institute estimates 34 states follow such restrictions.
The bill calls for Maine to cover abortion services with “state funds within existing resources.” That’s estimated to amount to $375,000 annually.
