Lousiana Leglislature Denies Malpractice Coverage to Doctors Who Perform Abortions

June 22, 2010

In a positively scary move against women’s right to choose – one that is medically risky – the Louisiana state legislature has decided that doctors who provide elective abortions should not be covered under medical malpractice laws.

With a 31-2 vote, the Louisiana Senate passed the bill, which was sponsored by Representative Robert Johnson (D – Marksville). The bill would prohibit doctors and other health care providers and doctors from receiving coverage under state or private Medical Malpractice Acts when performing an abortion of an “uncomplicated viable pregnancy” that is not being performed in order to save the life of the mother.

Despite the concerns raised by some lawmakers over the denial of coverage for a legal medical procedure, the bill, House Bill 1453, is being sent to the governor’s desk for approval or veto. Representative Johnson admitted that he wasn’t aware of any other medical procedures that had no-coverage clauses.

No one spoke against the proposal on the Senate floor.