DeLauro, Slaughter Praise OPM Decision Protecting Abortion Coverage in Private Plans

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Louise Slaughter (D-NY) released the following statement today praising the decision by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) protecting access to abortion coverage in private plans. Under the final rule Members of Congress and their staffs will be treated on an equal basis with the other Americans who will buy health insurance through the marketplaces.

"This decision honors the spirit of the Affordable Care Act, which is significantly improving health care for women," DeLauro and Slaughter said. "All women, no matter where they work, deserve health care coverage that can meet their individual health care needs."

OPM received over 59,000 comments regarding this rule, more than 51,000 of which were supportive of having plans available to Members of Congress and congressional staffs include abortion services. A letter led by DeLauro and Slaughter and signed by 40 of their colleagues was among those comments.

The final rule issued today does not change the prohibition on using federal funds to pay for abortions, except in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the woman is endangered.