Michigan legislature approves extra insurance fee for abortions

(Reuters) – The Michigan legislature on Wednesday approved a proposal that would make it the ninth state to prohibit insurance companies from offering abortions unless women pay a fee in addition to the premium. The proposal, which was brought before the legislature as an initiative petition organized by Right to Life of Michigan, an anti-abortion group, was approved in the House and Senate, both of which have Republican majorities. Under Michigan’s constitution, such voter initiatives become law 90 days after the current session ends, without the need for Governor Rick Snyder’s signature. Snyder said in a letter to constituents the bill went too far because it treated situations involving rape and incest as elective abortions, and interfered with the private insurance market.