LANSING, MI (Toledo News Now) -
A
new law in Michigan will impact women as they sign up for health insurance.
The
state recently joined eight others in the U.S. that now require women to buy an
extra policy if they want abortion coverage. The law prohibits insurance companies
from offering abortion coverage as part of both public and private health
plans, except for when a woman's life is at risk.
The
decision came after an emotional day in the senate. The issue has stirred up a
lot of controversy, and some say the idea should have been brought to voters.
"It
impacts every woman and girl in the state of Michigan," said Sen. Gretchen
Whitmer (D – East Lansing). "They gathered 300,000 signatures, which is only 4
percent of our population, and have pushed the issue through."
The
anti-abortion group, Right to Life, collected the signatures in a citizens'
initiative, which can bypass the governor's signature.
Now
Whitmer says she will continue to do whatever she can to fight against the new
policy.
"I'm
going to raise my voice and help in any effort to undo this legislation, no matter
what that effort looks like. I think this is too important," she said.
Whitmer
says her first step is an online petition.
According to the Associate Press, insurance
policies covered about three percent of abortions last year.
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