Photo: Joe Hren
An amendment allowing insurance companies to cover abortions under the federal health care act in cases of rape and incest was defeated.
An amendment allowing insurance companies to cover abortions under the federal health care act in cases of rape and incest was defeated in the Indiana House Tuesday.
Evansville Representative Gail Riecken offered the amendment and said it would be cruel to take away the opportunity from victims of rape and incest to have an abortion and allow insurance companies to cover it.
Cicero Representative Eric Turner, the bill’s author, says the amendment would open a huge loophole.
“Someone who is desirous of an abortion could simply say they’ve been raped or there’s incest,” said Turner.
Hammond Representative Linda Lawson, a former sex crimes investigator, says she knows what rape and incest look like.
“Do not – do not – leave this general assembly, one hundred members in this room, and think that women callously and blatantly make up the fact that they’re raped,” said Lawson.
The amendment was defeated 42 to 54.
