California lawmakers vote to make abortions cheaper

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - The debate is heating up on the cusp of a potential U.S. Supreme court decision this summer--one that could overturn Roe V. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that banned states from outlawing abortions.

In the latest development out of California, lawmakers have voted to make abortions much cheaper for people on private health insurance plans.

This now brings California closer to becoming the fourth state in the country to ban insurance fees for the procedure.

Thursday’s vote is part of lawmakers’ strategy to make reproductive care more accessible in preparation for the potential overturning of Roe v Wade.

The bill would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for abortions on private health plans, although it would also slightly increase monthly premiums for patients and their employers.

The bill is the first of a number of pieces of legislation Democrats plan to pass this year in direct response to states like Texas, which has banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, and Mississippi, which has banned abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.