Equality in Abortion Coverage Act becomes law in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE — Gov. Dan McKee signed the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act into law Thursday after weeks of testimony and debate in the General Assembly.
The law lifts a 40-year old prohibition on using state Medicaid money and state employee health insurance to fund abortion care.
“I’m happy to be here to sign this legislation today,” McKee said before signing the bill in room adjacent to his office, surrounded by dozens of legislators and abortion rights advocates. “This issue was about equity and having equal health on their insurance.”
House and Senate sponsors, Majority Whip Rep. Katherine Kazarian, an East Providence Democrat, and Sen. Bridget Valverde, a North Kingstown Democrat, stood beside the governor during the signing ceremony.
“This ensures that all women have equal access to the healthcare that they need,” Kazarian said.
“It has been a long time coming for Rhode Island,” Valverde said. “It was helped along by so many people in this room and so many people outside this room. It is absolutely about health equity.”
https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2023/05/18/equality-in-abortion-coverage-act-becomes-law-in-rhode-island/