Oregon House OKs reproductive health care bill for women – The Register-Guard

SALEM The Oregon House engaged in a rare and often somber floor debate on abortion Saturday, as majority Democrats passed a womens health care bill.

House Bill 3391 requires Oregon insurers to cover many reproductive health services for women, including abortion, without charging them any out-of-pocket expense. It also extends the same coverage to unauthorized immigrants, at a two-year cost to the state of $10.2 million.

The controversial bill passed on a largely party-line 33-23 vote, after several hours of debate.

All House Republicans voted no, joined by Rep. John Lively, a Springfield Democrat.

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Williamson of Portland said the policy would mean healthier individuals and healthier families.

The amount of money a person makes should not determine their access to health care, she said.

Added Rep. Julie Fahey, a Eugene Democrat and bill chief sponsor: Health care is a basic human right.

But the bill provoked an emotional response from House Republicans, many of whom are personally opposed to abortion.

Rep. Andy Olson, an Albany Republican, recounted the story of his granddaughter, born premature at 25 weeks. The girl died as an infant. Near tears, he said that child was a whole little girl, yet could have been legally aborted under Oregon law. I cant reconcile in my mind how anyone who has a walk with God, can support this, he said, slamming his hand on his desk. I just cant get there with you.

In addition to abortion, the bill requires insurers to provide free services for women that include: birth control; prenatal and postpartum care; screenings for sexually transmitted diseases, cervical and breast cancer; breastfeeding support and supplies; counseling for domestic violence victims; and tobacco cessation.

In a concession by Democrats, religious employers would be exempt from having to provide health plans with abortion or contraceptive coverage. And one major insurer in Oregon, Providence, a Catholic organization, successfully lobbied to be removed from the requirement as well. Providence covers around 260,000 Oregonians.

The bill grants similar health and reproductive services to unauthorized immigrant women who would otherwise qualify for the coverage under the Oregon Health Plan, the states version of Medicaid, because of their low income.

OHA estimates almost 23,000 authorized immigrants would receive such services during the next two years, costing the state $10.2 million. Of that, an estimated $500,000 would cover abortions for those women.

Rep. Duane Stark, a Grants Pass Republican, said he could feel rage coming up through (his) neck when he thought about taxpayer dollars paying for those abortions. These little humans have a heartbeat 18 days after conception, he said. Science clearly shows that life begins in the womb.

But House Democrats refused to be drawn into a dragged-out fight about abortion, with only three of their 35 present members speaking up on the bill at all.

Frustrated moderate Republicans, meanwhile, said the bill would heighten partisan tensions in the final days of session. Rep. Knute Buehler, a Bend Republican and likely gubernatorial candidate, said that hes personally pro-abortion. But he voted no on the bill, in part because of its cost.

Democrats, he said, are play(ing) politics with an issue thats deeply personal.

But the Oregon Pro-Choice Coalition said in a press release that the bill will ensure that every Oregonian can decide when and whether to become a parent regardless of income, type of insurance, citizenship status or gender identity.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.

Follow Saul on Twitter @SaulAHubbard . Email saul.hubbard@registerguard.com .