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Oregon Governor Signs Reproductive Care Bill

Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network

Oregon Governor Kate Brown has signed into law a bill to require health insurance policies to cover the cost of abortions.

Supporters call it the "Reproductive Health Equity Act" and say it makes Oregon the most progressive state when it comes to abortion policies. The new law ensures that insurance companies include abortion coverage without a co-pay.

It also creates a fund to pay for abortions for low-income women who don't qualify for Medicaid. That includes people in the country illegally.

The bill passed the legislature without any Republican support. Opponents say it means Oregon taxpayers who are morally opposed to abortion will be forced to pay for it. 

Copyright 2017 Northwest News Network

Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.
Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.