Groups Sue Illinois Officials Over Abortion Coverage Requirement
Six pro-life groups and employers have filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other state officials, challenging a law mandating that health insurers cover abortions and related medications at no cost to patients. Initiated in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the lawsuit targets provisions compelling state-regulated health insurers to include abortion services in their plans, arguing it violates the religious and moral objections of employers.
Among those suing are Students for Life of America, the Pro-Life Action League, Illinois Right to Life, and several churches and businesses. They contend that the law forces them to purchase health insurance plans that fund abortions directly through premium contributions, undermining their beliefs against the practice. The plaintiffs claim the legislation offers no accommodations for employers or individuals who oppose abortion on ethical grounds, effectively leaving them with no choice but to subsidize services they morally reject.
Governor Pritzker’s spokesperson, Alex Gough, condemned the suit as a threat to women’s reproductive care, while Attorney General Kwame Raoul reaffirmed his commitment to protect abortion rights, asserting that access to health care, including abortions, must remain a priority. He emphasized that cost should not prevent individuals from obtaining vital reproductive services.
This lawsuit follows previous legal challenges to Illinois’ abortion laws and comes at a time when surrounding states have imposed stricter regulations post-Roe v. Wade. Illinois has recently bolstered its abortion protections, enforcing laws that recognize abortion as a fundamental right and ensuring that individuals providing reproductive health care are shielded from legal repercussions from other states.
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