Wake County eliminates abortion coverage from employee health plan

Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County Manager David Cooke decided Wednesday to eliminate coverage of elective abortions from the health plan for county employees.

County Commissioner Tony Gurley cited the law rather than politics as the impetus for the change. The state Supreme Court outlawed payment for the procedure by public entities in 1981, Gurley said, but the county did not notice when Blue Cross Blue Shield added that coverage to the plans it provides.

Apex leaders voted last month to eliminate coverage of elective abortions from town employees' health insurance plans.

"We don't believe it's a proper use of public money, taxpayers' money, to fund elective abortions," Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly said.

Taxpayers subsidize medical policy plans for government employees.

Apex and Wake County employees will still be reimbursed for abortions in cases of rape, incest or danger to the health of the mother.

Blue Cross Blue Shield, which provides coverage to Apex, says elective abortion coverage is standard in fully insured plans.

Weatherly said the federal government does not provide elective abortion coverage for its employees and that the town's decision is in line with federal standards.

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Latest Comments

It seriously may be time to revisit this issue. 1) Stam v. State needs to be reexamined in and of itself IMO and 2) this policy change far exceeds the limitations (erroneously) established in Stam v. State.

If he intends to proceed on that basis, then he can start planning to strip coverage for ALL elective procedures from county health plans.

I really dislike that man.

elcid liked Ike
February 12, 2010 7:24 p.m.

"Insurance should only cover abortion if the life of the mother is in danger or if the baby was conceived during rape or incest."

Insurance should only cover heart disease if the person did not smoke, drink or eat fatty foods.

"If you don't want to get pregnant you should practice abstinence, use birth control, use contraceptives, use condoms, or keep your legs together."

If you don't want to die from heart disease, you shouldn't smoke, drink or eat red meat.

Why should my tax dollars be used to subsidize the consequences of the stupid decisions of heart patients?

elcid liked Ike
February 12, 2010 6:09 p.m.

Wake County made the correct decision.

Insurance should only cover abortion if the life of the mother is in danger or if the baby was conceived during rape or incest.

If you don't want to get pregnant you should practice abstinence, use birth control, use contraceptives, use condoms, or keep your legs together.

DontLikeTheSocialistObama
February 12, 2010 6:04 p.m.

If its a medication neccesity then it falls under another catagory other than and abortion as far as insurance coverage goes. Its still is strange that insurance will cover Viagra but not birth control pills!

Arthur in the Garden
February 12, 2010 5:58 p.m.

I don't think diseases related to drinking too much should be covered. Isn't that a lifestyle choice?

wakeconative4ever
February 12, 2010 5:16 p.m.