051674 Pro-Life Groups Back Childbirth Benefits Bill

N.Y. (RNS) - A bill forcing companies to increase i benefits for both single and women in New York is being ,,y backed by state "pro-life" ips on the grounds that many women are pressured into abortion for financial reasons.

The measure, already passed by the New York Senate (56-0) and now in the Assembly, has been strongly opposed by the 15 Blue Cross-Blue Shield plans in New York.

The Blue Cross-Blue Shield payments for a birth could go from $80 to around $1,000 or more if the bill is enacted.

Supporting the bill are the New York State Right to Life Committee and the New York State Catholic Committee. They favor the measure which, in some cases, will provide full coverage for hospital surgical and medical expenses.

A spokesman for the state Catholic Committee said the bill is currently "bottled up" in the Assembly rules committee. He added that the committee is making a statewide plea for letters and telegrams to legislators to free the bill for an Assembly vote.

Father Richard Downs, director of Health and Social Services for the Albany Catholic diocese, said "the way the law is set up now it's more enticing for a woman to think about abortion than about bringing her child to term."

The law was proposed by State Sen. James Donovan, (R-Oneida), a leader in sponsoring legal alternatives to abortion. It provides that the state could not approve any insurance plan that does not offer "coverage for reimbursement of the medical and hospital expenses" incurred by childbirth.

Under current law, abortions performed on married women are covered in full by insurance c9mpanies, while deliveries of full-term children are not.

Insurance companies have argued that such coverage will make premiums too expensive for the general public.

Ralph Hammersley, president of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Northwestern New York, said that even though Blue Cross statewide is opposing the bill, he personally favors full maternity coverage.

He plans to introduce a proposal to the Blue Cross board of directors seeking a change in policy, regardless of whether the bill passes or fails. However, he would restrict coverage to married women.

Father Downs said he favors coverage to all women with pregnancies, adding that anything else is "discrimination."

The priest pointed out that maternity coverage is especially needed by middle class women, because women on welfare and wealthy women have monies available for childbirth expenses. "But middle class people are facing the reality of a couple of thousand dollars in costs for a new baby, maybe more if there are complications," he said.

"What we are talking about is freedom of choice," Father Downs asserted, "The way the law is now we do not have complete freedom of choice."