Democratic lawmakers in Delaware gave final approval Tuesday to a bill requiring most private health insurance plans and Delaware’s Medicaid program to cover abortions.
In addition to mandating coverage for abortions, the legislation prohibits most insurance plans, including the one covering state government employees, from charging copays, applying deductibles, or imposing any other cost-sharing requirements for abortion services. According to legislative analysts using data from the Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance and a survey of abortion providers, non-surgical abortions account for about 85% of all abortions, at an average cost of about $600.
Currently, 10 states require private health insurers to cover abortions and 17 states cover abortions for Medicaid enrollees.