California, led by Catholic governor Jerry Brown, is considering forcing the two Catholic universities, Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount, to provide coverage of abortion procedures despite the Catholic universities’ decisions to restrict their abortion insurance coverage for employees for religious reasons.
California’s Department of Managed Health Care is beginning what they’re reportedly calling “an in-depth analysis of the issues surrounding coverage for abortion services under California law.”
The department is “analyzing” whether the universities’ restriction of abortion coverage goes against a 1975 state law which requires managed health plans to cover all “medically necessary” procedures.
Up until 2012, it was assumed by many that the law meant all abortion but the company Kaiser Permanente reportedly offered a plan in 2012 which did not cover elective abortions.
The question therefore arises whether all abortions are “medically necessary.” Of course, they’re not. But that won’t stop the state of California from pretending otherwise.
For years, the two Catholic universities provided the coverage but last year both announced their intention to restrict that coverage in light of the offering of a plan that did not cover elective abortions.
The fact that the state is publicly acknowledging that they’re “analyzing” this issue means their minds are made up. They will attempt to shut down any “loopholes” and will argue that all abortions are “medically necessary” so therefore Catholic institutions will be forced to provide coverage of abortions.
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