Texas women required to get ‘rape insurance’ for elective abortions
Abortions will no longer be available under insurance policies for women in Texas.
Instead, women will be forced to take out additional policies to cover their potential future abortions in cases of rape, incest or personal choice elective abortion.
The bill, dubbed by many as the 'rape insurance' bill, was signed into law this week.
If women have to buy #rapeinsurance, shouldn't men have to buy "in case I rape insurance" to cover maternity and pediatric care?
— T Burnham (@The_TBurnham) August 12, 2017
Many people feel that due to this bill, survivors of rape will be forced to pay out more in their insurance polices, and women in general will need to insure their bodies ahead of the potential threat of rape or incest.
'Wtf is rape insurance? They have to insure their bodies like their damn cars???? What the f***????' said one Twitter user. Others suggested that if women are forced to pay rape insurance, men should have to pay potential rapist insurance.
Abortion is already banned from insurance policies in states such as Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah, according to a report from Guttmacher.org.
…let alone even get passed?! This #rapeinsurance bill is utterly disgusting. Being raped is not a liability on me or any victim of rape!
— Kiara Nichole Cherry (@KiaraNichole) August 18, 2017
'As a firm believer in Texas values I am proud to sign legislation that ensures no Texan is ever required to pay for a procedure that ends the life of an unborn child,' said Governor Abbott in a statement from the Texas Governor's Office.
'This bill prohibits insurance providers from forcing Texas policy holders to subsidise elective abortions.'
'I am grateful to the Texas legislature for getting this bill to my desk, and working to protect innocent life this special session.'
There have already been calls to repeal the bill.
