# Michigan passes "rape insurance" bill
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262
**Category:** Politics & Elections
**Created:** [December 13, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262 "2013-12-13T18:33:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/1 "2013-12-13T18:33:01Z")
Didn’t see a thread about this.
[Link](http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill)
> [@](#):
>
> Both chambers of the Michigan legislature have passed a measure banning insurance coverage for abortion in private health plans unless women purchase a separate rider. And because of the way the legislation was put forward, it is set to become law despite the objections of both the state’s Democratic minority and the veto of the Republican governor.
What the fuck? I’m not sure I even understand; women have to buy separate additional insurance to cover the cost of an abortion in cases of rape? Or does this apply to all abortions?
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### Author:  [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/2 "2013-12-13T18:53:27Z")
Yes, it’s for all abortions. And yes, it’s appalling.
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### Author:  [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/3 "2013-12-13T18:58:30Z")
Although I think its an idea that has really horrible consequences, I think calling it a “rape insurance” bill is a bit misleading.
All the bill really says that all basic insurance coverage must not cover abortion under any circumstances (rape included). So if you want abortion coverage you would have to pay extra. Where the rape insurance comes in is that a fertile woman who would normally not consider getting an abortions (such as one who is not sexually active, or seeking pregnancy through consensual sex) may still need to get an abortion in the case of rape. Thus such a woman would be need to take the extra coverage solely for the purpose of being insured if she is raped.
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### Author:  [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/4 "2013-12-13T19:17:35Z")
I oppose abortion but I don’t understand where any pol gets off telling an insurance company what they can and can’t cover. That is a business decision between the company and it’s clientele. This is no less appalling than trying to regulate the size of soft drinks or what kind of otherwise legal activity I can conduct in my tavern.
It’s simply not the governments damn bees wax!
The way around this is easy. Insurance companies could offer the separate rider for 2 cents. And attach the rider and extra premium to all policies unless the client ops out.
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### Author:  [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/5 "2013-12-13T19:34:19Z")
> [@pkbites](#):
>
> The way around this is easy. Insurance companies could offer the separate rider for 2 cents. And attach the rider and extra premium to all policies unless the client ops out.
Better yet, offer the separate rider for -2 cents, so it’s cheaper than the basic one 😃
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### Author:  [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/6 "2013-12-13T19:57:59Z")
> [@pkbites](#):
>
> I oppose abortion but I don’t understand where any pol gets off telling an insurance company what they can and can’t cover. That is a business decision between the company and it’s clientele. This is no less appalling than trying to regulate the size of soft drinks or what kind of otherwise legal activity I can conduct in my tavern.
>
> It’s simply not the governments damn bees wax!
This.
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### Author:  [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/7 "2013-12-13T20:09:04Z")
Huh. **Bricker** and **pkbites** are both arguing that abortion is none of the government’s business.
Didn’t expect to see that when I got up this morning.
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### Author:  [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/8 "2013-12-13T20:22:51Z")
> [@pkbites](#):
>
> I oppose abortion but I don’t understand where any pol gets off telling an insurance company what they can and can’t cover.
Right, because Obamacare doesn’t do that at all.
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### Author:  [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/9 "2013-12-13T20:36:43Z")
> [@Miller](#):
>
> Huh. **Bricker** and **pkbites** are both arguing that abortion is none of the government’s business.
>
> Didn’t expect to see that when I got up this morning.
I must admit, were my mouth full of a tasty beverage while reading this thread, I would’ve done, what they call in show biz, a “spit-take.”
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### Author:  [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/10 "2013-12-13T20:55:35Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#):
>
> I must admit, were my mouth full of a tasty beverage while reading this thread, I would’ve done, what they call in show biz, a “spit-take.”
I got your back, buddy. I ostensibly served myself a beverage in a fake glass container then crushed it in my fist upon hearing the news.
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### Author:  [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/11 "2013-12-13T21:11:43Z")
> [@Miller](#):
>
> Huh. **Bricker** and **pkbites** are both arguing that abortion is none of the government’s business.
I don’t read their comments that way.
I understand them to be saying that it’s not appropriate for governments to regulate the terms of policies offered by insurance companies, thereby interfering with the business decisions of an insurance company.
I may be incorrect, of course, and would welcome clarification.
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### Author:  [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/12 "2013-12-13T22:09:13Z")
Look, the insurance industry is under a **lot** of regulation and has been for a long time; every state has a Commissioner of Insurance or something similar.
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### Author:  [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/13 "2013-12-13T23:55:24Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> I don’t read their comments that way.
>
> I understand them to be saying that it’s not appropriate for governments to regulate the terms of policies offered by insurance companies, thereby interfering with the business decisions of an insurance company.
That is what I was saying.
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### Author:  [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/14 "2013-12-13T23:57:54Z")
Relevant cartooning…
> **[Matt Wuerker by Matt Wuerker for December 09, 2013 | GoComics.com](https://www.gocomics.com/mattwuerker/2013/12/09#.Uqufp9JDtXo)**
>
> GOP tutorsits men how to be more sensitive when running against women. -Actual news item
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### Author:  [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2013, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/15 "2013-12-14T08:36:53Z")
> [@pkbites](#):
>
> The way around this is easy. Insurance companies could offer the separate rider for 2 cents. And attach the rider and extra premium to all policies unless the client ops out.
Why would insurance companies do that? This ill-conceived legislation is a gift to the insurance industry. They get to charge extra for services they won’t actually have to provide all that often, and stand to profit from fear at no cost to themselves.
That said, I look forward to the inevitable litigation. Should make for interesting reading as the case makes its way through the courts. Might even reach SCOTUS.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2013, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/16 "2013-12-14T09:50:14Z")
> [@Oakminster](#):
>
> This ill-conceived legislation is a gift to the insurance industry.
It’s also a gift to the Democrats. Looks like the Republicans want to get a head start on losing the next couple of elections.
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### Author:  [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2013, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/17 "2013-12-14T10:34:13Z")
> [@Oakminster](#):
>
> This ill-conceived legislation is a gift to the insurance industry.
Is it? According to [this Huffington Post article](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/12/abortion-rider_n_4433040.html), eight other states have similar laws, but insurance companies only even offer the riders in two of them:
> [@](#):
>
> Elizabeth Nash is the state issues manager at the Guttmacher Institute, a nationally recognized nonprofit reproductive health institute. “The riders don’t exist,” she told The Huffington Post. “There’s no cost information. The riders just don’t exist.”
>
> Michigan is the ninth state to restrict public and private insurance plans from covering abortions, Nash told The Huffington Post. Only two of those states have providers with abortion riders available for purchase.
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### Author:  [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/18 "2013-12-14T13:08:30Z")
Review [this pdf](http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_RICA.pdf) to see restrictions by state. Tennessee and Louisiana _prohibit all abortion coverage, rider or not_ on the exchanges (though have no restrictions on private plans). Six states disallow any coverage, whether private or exchange, _unless woman’s life is in danger_. The common denominator is that these are all bright-red states which have swallowed the Teabagging Beck-Limbaugh Kool-Aid.
Just as “dog bites man” isn’t news, it wasn’t until the once-sane state of Michigan swallowed the Kool-Aid that this story attracted attention.
ACA is supposed to allow “pre-existing conditions.” Apparently _being a woman_ is not a valid pre-existing condition.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/19 "2013-12-14T16:33:21Z")
Just how much does an abortion cost, anyway? If they’re sufficiently rare and sufficiently inexpensive, it wouldn’t make sense to get insurance for them, anyway.
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### Author:  [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-rape-insurance-bill/676262/20 "2013-12-14T16:55:01Z")
> [@Chronos](#):
>
> Just how much does an abortion cost, anyway? If they’re sufficiently rare and sufficiently inexpensive, it wouldn’t make sense to get insurance for them, anyway.
Well, there is a relatively low-cost method.
A hungry rat on a string.
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