Va. Amendment Barring Health Care Exchange Plans From Covering Abortions Approved

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's controversial amendment to bar health insurance plans sold through a federal exchange from covering most abortions won approval from both the House and Senate in the General Assembly's one-day, reconvened session.

Senate Democrats had hoped to block the measure and thought they had the votes to do it in the evenly divided chamber but fell one vote short when two Democrats broke ranks.

"This extreme measure is the latest example of Virginia Republicans injecting themselves into decisions that should be between a woman and her doctor," said a statement from Delegate & Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria. "Bob McDonnell and his Republican allies have no place banning any Virginian from purchasing coverage for legal health care procedures with their own money."
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