Health Insurance Bill Passes with Anti-Abortion Provision

AP

Despite an anti-abortion provision, the House easily approved a new health insurance bill Wednesday.

The bill would allow the state Board of Regents to offer health insurance for students and graduate students employed on campus, instead of having those policies offered through the individual universities. Backers of the idea expect insurers to offer lower-cost plans to a larger group of students.

But no plan offered by the regents could cover students' abortions.

The House's vote of 110 to 14 sent the measure to the Senate.

While House members generally have supported restrictions on abortion and abortion clinics, the margin is much closer than Wednesday's vote.