Oregon lawmakers prepare to protect LGBTQ people, women from Trump

Source: Associated Press



By ANDREW SELSKY, Associated Press · Friday, March 17, 2017

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon lawmakers, anticipating federal abortion restrictions and health-care cuts, considered a proposed law Wednesday that would ban interference in terminating a pregnancy, and would ensure full reproductive health care coverage, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The measure sponsored by a host of lawmakers in one of America’s most liberal states could set a precedent for other states. But some of the witnesses who testified Wednesday before the House Committee On Health Care warned that the legislation could provoke the federal government to cut up to $10.7 billion in funds to Oregon.

The bill requires coverage of medical services, drugs and products related to reproductive health, with no co-pay or deductible. The Oregon Health Authority would implement programs to reimburse those costs to those “who would be eligible for medical assistance if not for certain federal requirements.”

The measure, sponsored by three House representatives and 19 senators, prohibits any “public body” from interfering in a woman’s choice to have an abortion, and interfering in any licensed health care provider terminating a pregnancy.

Read more: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2017/03/oregon-lawmakers-prepare-protect-lgbtq-people-women-trump/