Amid efforts by the White House and the Republican-led Congress to strip federal funding for healthcare providers that offer abortions, some states are taking steps to protect funding for such organizations, reports STAT.
The failed American Health Care Act would have barred funding for Planned Parenthood and other organizations that offer abortion services. Last month Congress passed legislation that undid a regulation from the Obama administration that prevented states from denying Title X family planning grants to providers that offer abortions. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law after Vice President Mike Pence cast the tie-breaking vote.
"In my opinion, it's an assault on women's health issues," said Nevada State Senator Yvanna Cancela, a Democrat, of the law. Sen. Cancela is a sponsor of a bill to establish a new funding mechanism for preventive screening and contraceptive coverage in Nevada, according to the report. Her state would join a string of others that have enacted or proposed similar laws.
In March, Maryland became the first state to guarantee funding for Planned Parenthood clinics in the state in the event the federal government refuses to pay. In Oregon, Democrats have proposed a law that would make insurers cover contraceptive care and abortion services without charging beneficiaries any out-of-pocket costs, according to STAT.