* I asked the Pritzker folks whether there’ve been any complaints or compliance issues with state employee group health insurance plans and have yet to hear back…
On the 46th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, Governor JB Pritzker took executive action making Illinois the most progressive state in the nation for women’s reproductive rights.
“On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I’m proud to declare under my administration, the State of Illinois will be the most progressive state in the nation when it comes to guaranteeing the right to choose for every single woman,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to the courageous advocates across our state, HB 40 is the law of the land. I was proud to stand with you in that fight, because a right is only a right if it can be exercised by everyone. And today, I’m proud to sign an executive order that will further protect and expand the right to choose in Illinois – and that will fully implement all the provisions of HB 40.”
In today’s executive order, Gov. Pritzker took swift action to ensure the state fully enforces HB 40, now known as Public Act 100-0538. Through EO 2019-05, the governor directed the Department of Central Management Services to review all state employee group health insurance plans, identify barriers to women exercising their right to choose, and present recommendations to bring all health insurance plans into compliance with the law within the next 60 days.
The governor signed the executive order at Planned Parenthood of Illinois surrounded by women’s health advocates and co-sponsors of the legislation.
“Women’s rights are human rights. It’s important that women have the right and ability to chose what is best for them and their bodies,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Today’s executive order makes it clear that our state is a leader in that respect.”
*** UPDATE *** From the Pritzker administration…
The office of the governor learned that advocates for safe and legal abortion are concerned that there are several state employee group health insurance plans that are not fully compliant with the intent of HB40. Advocates cited issues of potential non-compliance ranging from failure to cover “elective” abortion or the abortion pill to failure to cover abortion unless it’s necessary for the health of the woman. The governor took immediate action today requiring CMS to conduct an internal review of all state employee group health insurance plans so we can officially identify and take action to correct any residual compliance issues.
- Anon - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:29 am:
Rich, I thought HB40 did not apply to health insurance for current state employees. The prior ban only applied to noncontributory insurance (basically retirees and those on survivor coverage). As a result, group health had covered abortion and reproductive options for years.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:49 am:
I get Rich is waiting to hear back, but this is almost certainly grandstanding, yeah? I mean, if Rauner decided to take the hits from signing the bill (and boy did he get hit), he wouldn’t then slow walk it, right? How would that make any kind of sense?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:01 pm:
It’s as though Pritzker is trying to “out-liberal” Rauner here…
I’ll leave it there, as is.
- Anon312 - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:31 pm:
Congratulations on accomplishing… exactly nothing. Are they really that desperate for a press pop?
The campaignin’ continues.
- Blue Dog Dem - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:32 pm:
JB. Better be careful. A year ago Mrs. Blue and her pack of she dogs completed a novena. You see how that turned out for Rauner.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:39 pm:
Good for Pritzker. Today SCOTUS allowed Trump’s bigoted transgender ban in the military to continue until the courts decide.
Those opposed to abortions should support birth control and adoption services to reduce abortions, instead of minding the private business of women and interfering with their right to control their bodies.
- hot chocolate - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:44 pm:
So he thanked the advocates but not
Bruce and Lady Die? I would assume that ‘advocate’ would include the only Governor in US history to sign such a law.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:52 pm:
I can see our 2019 Illinois Tourism campaign now.
- Reserved - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 1:38 pm:
I have a Health Alliance HMO plan through state employment and received a letter letting me know abortions are covered, so it looks like at least one provider is in compliance.
Unfortunately the hedonism free abortions for state employees is certain to bring on has not yet occurred, or I haven’t been invited to participate in the hedonism yet, but fingers crossed…
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 2:21 pm:
And who gets to choose what’s best for the baby? Oh, I guess that just doesn’t matter. Boy, that doesn’t sound too cold does it?
- ShyBoy - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 2:30 pm:
=NeverPoliticallyCorrect=
You’re right it doesn’t matter.
- Jasper - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 7:05 pm:
What a very sad state we live in. Kill a deer out of season and you will be fined thousands of dollars, guns will be seized, and will probably do jail time…but our state encourages and pays for killing babies with our tax dollars. JB says “Women’s rights are human rights.” What about the baby’s rights? The woman has a choice …at the time of CONCEPTION.
- Anonymous - Monday, Feb 4, 19 @ 9:21 am:
I am not very political, but is there anything I can do to oppose this? Or is it hopeless?