HB 30-18: Reproductive Health Expansion Act (Awaiting Sponsor)

[Left Wing]

SENATE BILL

Be it enacted in both houses of Congress Assembled,

Reproductive Health Expansion Act.

1.) Reproductive health procedures, including medical terminations shall hereby be included within 'Atlascare' health plans created through the 'Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017

2.) The availability of these procedures shall depend on the laws and restrictions imposed by said region.

2B.) Atlascare health plans shall include expenses to enable patients to travel to receive treatments laid out within their plans, if they are unable to access this care within their region.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-2 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

Sponsor: None
Status: Awaiting Sponsor

[Starry Eyed Jagaloon]

I'll sponsor this.

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

Seeing no objection, I make a motion to waive the rest of the objection period, my opportunity to advocate, and move immediately to a final vote owing to the very short remaining existence of the house.

As far as I know the House dissolved at noon today.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

It's too late baby now, it's too late
Though we really did try and make it
Something has died inside and I just can't hide it
I just can't make it
Oh no!

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I will assume sponsorship for this. Senators have 24 hours to object.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Hearing no objection, I am recognized as sponsor.

So, to reiterate what Vice President Blair argued in the last Senate as the bill's original sponsor, this bill will expand AtlasCare's public option to cover reproductive health care, which includes abortions as well as care for expectant mothers who experienced a miscarriage. I will also note, as Vice President Blair did, that this bill does not interfere with regions' or states' policies regarding abortion. How ever contentious the issue, reproductive health care is health care, and it should be acknowledged as such by our laws and our federal health care system.

[OBD]

I'm supportive of this bill. It is crucial that every Atlasia have affordable, equitable access to reproductive healthcare, both including and outside of abortions.

[Joseph Cao]

Aren't miscarriages and the like already covered? If the bill overlaps with Atlascare's current options I would rather not add an extra bill to the books that addresses an already addressed issue.

Assuming that this bill is not simply limited to abortions and miscarriage provisions, and further that the sponsor is correct, I would much prefer that clause 1 gives an explicit enumeration of what this bill will include that Atlascare doesn't.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aren't miscarriages and the like already covered? If the bill overlaps with Atlascare's current options I would rather not add an extra bill to the books that addresses an already addressed issue.

Assuming that this bill is not simply limited to abortions and miscarriage provisions, and further that the sponsor is correct, I would much prefer that clause 1 gives an explicit enumeration of what this bill will include that Atlascare doesn't.

This bill explicitly funds abortion procedures, but "reproductive healthcare" presumably also includes care during pregnancy (and that ought to include care during pregnancy and delivery). I don't see any of these listed on the directory on the Wiki, which I try to keep up-to-date whenever new services are added.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

For the record, the fact that gynecological care isn't specifically mentioned in the AtlasCare list of services is peak Atlas. Obviously, any federal plan ought to cover those services and support for new or expectant mothers, and I don't think that should be a contentious issue. Whether AtlasCare also covers abortions is a question the Senate will need to settle.

[AGA]

Something as morally questionable as abortion should not be funded by the government if not medically necessary.

[wxtransit]

Aren't miscarriages and the like already covered? If the bill overlaps with Atlascare's current options I would rather not add an extra bill to the books that addresses an already addressed issue.

Assuming that this bill is not simply limited to abortions and miscarriage provisions, and further that the sponsor is correct, I would much prefer that clause 1 gives an explicit enumeration of what this bill will include that Atlascare doesn't.

This bill explicitly funds abortion procedures, but "reproductive healthcare" presumably also includes care during pregnancy (and that ought to include care during pregnancy and delivery). I don't see any of these listed on the directory on the Wiki, which I try to keep up-to-date whenever new services are added.

Apologies if I'm misunderstanding your answer and as a result you already answered this question, but what specific reproductive health procedures does this bill fund? Aside from abortion, I don't see any other procedures specifically listed. As a result, this bill feels a bit too vague in my opinion.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aren't miscarriages and the like already covered? If the bill overlaps with Atlascare's current options I would rather not add an extra bill to the books that addresses an already addressed issue.

Assuming that this bill is not simply limited to abortions and miscarriage provisions, and further that the sponsor is correct, I would much prefer that clause 1 gives an explicit enumeration of what this bill will include that Atlascare doesn't.

This bill explicitly funds abortion procedures, but "reproductive healthcare" presumably also includes care during pregnancy (and that ought to include care during pregnancy and delivery). I don't see any of these listed on the directory on the Wiki, which I try to keep up-to-date whenever new services are added.

Apologies if I'm misunderstanding your answer and as a result you already answered this question, but what specific reproductive health procedures does this bill fund? Aside from abortion, I don't see any other procedures specifically listed. As a result, this bill feels a bit too vague for me to consider supporting at least for the moment.

Reproductive health care presumably would include ultrasounds and checkups as well as pregnancy terminations. (I'm fairly ignorant on the subject as I've never lived with a pregnant person and have certainly never gotten pregnant myself. )

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Also, strike what I said about gynecology services needing to be included, because mammograms and other women's healthcare are presumably covered by services listed, as should prostate exams.

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

Also, strike what I said about gynecology services needing to be included, because mammograms and other women's healthcare are presumably covered by services listed, as should prostate exams.

Being redundant isn't always a bad thing. If we aren't entirely sure, no reason not to include it. What is bad is being contradictory between two laws.

[SevenEleven]

This is a good bill that will make sure Atlasian women aren't left behind when it comes to health care. The last thing a grieving potential mother needs when a medical termination is required is a hefty bill she cannot afford.

We rely on women to provide our posterity, and yet we rarely ask ourselves, do we treat them fairly? The monetary costs that build up, simply for being born with a uterus, is fairly hefty. In the name of equality, and justice, it's due time we acknowledge our failings here and adjust course.

[AGA]

An amendment:

Reproductive Health Expansion Act.

1.) Reproductive health procedures, including medical terminations shall hereby be included within 'Atlascare' health plans created through the 'Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017

2.) The availability of these procedures shall depend on the laws and restrictions imposed by said region.

2B.) Atlascare health plans shall include expenses to enable patients to travel to receive treatments laid out within their plans, if they are unable to access this care within their region.

3.) Pregnancy terminations that are not necessary for the physical health of the mother shall not be federally funded.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

The bill already specifies that abortions would be covered under this law. However, I would like other reproductive services covered as well and that includes both prenatal and postpartum care.

SENATE BILL

Be it enacted in both houses of Congress Assembled,

Reproductive Health Expansion Act.

1.) Reproductive health procedures, including medical terminations and both prenatal and postpartum care, shall hereby be included within 'AtlasCare' health plans created through the 'Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017

2.) The availability of these pregnancy termination procedures shall depend on the laws and restrictions imposed by said region.

2B.) AtlasCare health plans shall include expenses to enable patients to travel to receive treatments laid out within their plans, if they are unable to access this care within their region.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-2 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

[Joseph Cao]

I do think Scott's amendment is a step in the right direction with regard to clarifying exactly what this bill does.

What is the status of AGA's amendment?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

AGA's amendment is unfriendly.

Reproductive Health Expansion Act.

1.) Reproductive health procedures, including medical terminations shall hereby be included within 'Atlascare' health plans created through the 'Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017

2.) The availability of these procedures shall depend on the laws and restrictions imposed by said region.

2B.) Atlascare health plans shall include expenses to enable patients to travel to receive treatments laid out within their plans, if they are unable to access this care within their region.

3.) Pregnancy terminations that are not necessary for the physical health of the mother shall not be federally funded.

Sponsor Feedback: Hostile
Status: Voting on Amendment

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Nay

[SevenEleven]

This amendment, which I believe was offered in good faith, does not address the issue at heart. Ultimately a doctor's opinion is subjective, which is why for people like me, we are often encouraged to seek "second opinions". Obviously, with a pregnancy that cannot be carried to to term, there is no time to play who says and who says no.

[Pericles]

Nay

[OBD]

Absolutely not. NAY!

[Left Wing]

Nay