American Civil Liberties Union Agrees to Dismiss Case Challenging Kansas Abortion Law

A Kansas law passed in 2011 restricts private health insurance coverage for abortions. Abortions aren't covered under general plans unless the woman's life is in danger, requiring women to buy supplemental policies known as riders that cover abortion. "We are disappointed that the court's decision will stand, despite the fact that the American public believes that politicians have no place interfering with a woman's personal and private medical decisions," ACLU attorney Brigitte Amri said. The clear anti-abortion law was among several major anti-abortion initiatives approved by Kansas legislators and signed into law by Republican Governor Sam Brownback.

Abortion is a basic medical need around the world. Women shouldn't be forced to pay out-of-pocket or pay for supplemental policies in order to get abortions. Private insurers should cover abortion in general plans due to the categorization of abortion as a medical treatment. Women's lives shouldn't have to be in danger for abortions to be covered by health insurance providers. Abortions are significant to women and families, adding the burden of having to afford expensive abortion procedures (The cost for an abortion at a clinic ranges from $450 to $1,675, and hospital abortions can cost upwards of $10,000) only makes matters worse for women and their families.