By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Senator Shadrack McGill (R-Woodville) issued a statement about his views on Senate Bill 20 and the abortion issue. SB20 is sponsored by Sen. McGill and is entitled the Abortion Coverage Prohibition Act.
Sen. McGill said, “SB20 is designed to deal with a very real problem about which I am very passionate, and that is the emotional devastation to young women after abortions. Yes, the death of an unborn child is tragic, but almost more tragic is the emotional wounds to the young girls and young women who are pressured into abortions they later regret. The emotional turmoil is well-documented. All of this is preventable.”
“SB20 simply prevents insurance companies from automatically covering abortions. If a company wants to offer coverage, it must be by a separate rider purchased six months in advance. This is consistent with any health insurance pre-existing condition requirement. Insurance does not work if it can be bought after the need arises,” Sen. McGill said. “Abortion is always a subject that can stir emotions and that was certainly true tonight. However, just because a problem is sensitive does not mean we should avoid it.”
Rep. McGill said, “It should be interesting to opponents that few insurance companies currently offer abortion coverage. If what the feminists say is true, that children are a burden, and abortion is safer than birth, it would follow that the profit motivated insurance companies would be rushing to shed all that risk.”
SB20 would prohibit a health insurer in Alabama from offering abortion coverage as part of a group or individual plan. It could only be offered as an option rider at the request of an individual policyholder. The bill requires that the rider be purchased at least six months prior to performance of the abortion.
Rep. McGill concluded, “Abortion has consequences. A society that encourages it cannot hide from the fallout. SB20 is right for life, right for young women and right for Alabama.” “A financially responsible adult having an abortion is an entirely different matter from a minor pressured into an abortion after being raped by a step parent. If the existence of insurance coverage in the state of Alabama was a deciding factor, we all bear responsibility. I take that responsibility very seriously.”
According to a study by the Elliot Institute, 64% of women report that their abortions were coerced, not freely chosen. 85% of women who have abortions later regret their decisions.
Senator Shadrack McGill is serving in his first term in the Alabama Senate after defeating the powerful seven term Democratic Party incumbent Lowell Baron in the 2010 election.
At press time it appears that the bill (SB20) may have stalled in the Senate for this legislative session.
