The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:44 PM
Tennessee Lawmakers Pass Bill That Seeks Federal Approval To Ban TENNCARE Payments To Abortion Providers
In a 24-2 vote Thursday, the Senate passed Republican Sen. Mike Bell's bill. The House passed it earlier this month. It was pass on to Governor Haslam and awaits his signature.
The proposal would apply to elective abortion providers performing 50-plus abortions annually.
State and federal law already ban Medicaid abortion funding. Some exceptions include rape, incest or risk of the mother's death.
Senate Democratic Caucus Leader Jeff Yarbro asked why Tennessee would want to limit the number of women's health providers that offer well-woman visits, obstetrics, contraceptive coverage and sexually transmitted disease treatment.
Bell said there are plenty of other health providers. He called the bill a statement policy by Tennessee against abortion.
