Conservatives Seek to Restrict Abortion Coverage in Insurance Plans

According to The Washington Post, conservative policymakers are discussing ways to limit private employer coverage of abortions.

The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, has proposed using federal labor law to restrict private employers from providing coverage for abortions in states where the procedure is restricted.

The think tank suggests that the Labor Department and Congress should make it clear that employer-sponsored health insurance should not override states’ ability to protect unborn life.

This restriction would make it harder for individuals to access out-of-state abortions. In 2023, more than 170,000 patients traveled across state lines for abortions, as reported by the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion rights organization.

Other conservatives are in favor of repealing a new federal rule from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that mandates employers to offer unpaid time off for abortions, according to the Post.

Rachel Morrison, an attorney with the Ethics and Public Policy Center, emphasized that ending the rule is a top priority for religious organizations, as it could negatively impact pregnant women and their unborn children in the workplace.

In April, 17 states filed a lawsuit against the EEOC over the rule, citing federal overreach.

Approximately half of companies with 200 employees cover abortion services under their health insurance plans, as reported by KFF, a health policy research organization.

It remains unclear if these conservative groups would advocate for these measures if former President Donald Trump were to be reelected, as reported by the Post. The issue of abortion has become a divisive topic among conservatives, with concerns that it might not be a winning strategy in elections.

The Heritage Foundation suggests using a Labor Department law called the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 to limit access to employer-sponsored abortions. ERISA allows employers to implement uniform healthcare plans across states where their employees reside, potentially enabling employees in states with abortion restrictions to seek the procedure in another state.

Companies like Amazon, Apple, and Disney provide reimbursement for employees seeking out-of-state abortions.