Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / March 3, 2010, edition 1 / Page 2
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Restricted Wake County Abortion Coverage Anna Turner, Staff Writer Many Wake County citizens are up in arms at the county’s ruling to no longer cover elective abor tions. According to the News and Observer, the decision was made after county officials discovered a “29-year-old state Supreme Court ruling which they say makes reim bursement for the practice illegal.” Self-insurance plans will still cover abortions in instances of rape, in cest, or endangerment of the life of the mother, but elective abortions are no longer included under that umbrella. Since 1999, the state has included elective abortions in its employee’s healthcare plans. After reevaluating a 1981 court ca^, it is now seen as a risk for Wake County to pay fqr its employees’ elective abortions, on the grounds that it is ' illegal for tax payers to be paying for that type of service. The News and Observer also notes that other counties which cover elective abor tions in employee healthcare plans could potentially face lawsuits over the issue. As reported by The News and Observer, Rep. Paul Stams, an Apex Republican House minority leader and “a dogged opponent of abortion,” recently succeeded in removing elective abortions from employee healthcare plans in the town of Apex. There have been many fingers pointed at Stams for his aggressive removal of elective abortion coverage. The News and Observer quoted Melissa Reed, vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood of North Carolina, as she argued that cer tain coverage “shouldn’t be taken away because of somebody’s politi cal agenda.” This new policy was ultimately brought about after a 1981 court case was revisited. Regarding the 1981 case, court justices stated, “By no stretch of the imagination can we consider medically unnecessary abortions as ‘essential to the health and welfare’ of the recipients.” County Attorney Scott Warren assured N&O reporters that Wake County officials did not base their actions upon moral issues. There are many people against this change in healthcare cover age, both by Planned Parenthood of North Carolina and by the STAFF 'herald@nieredith.cdu Editor C'oiirltk')- .'Xiisfi's iiiimTsi-orti mert'dilh.alii Assistant Editors Marianiaw'it Tadcsst- Anu Hniby Ad Manager Krisirn ('tailaglH'i' StaffWritcrs Krishna Cdiasarlaniiidi .lillian Curtis r.riii I'.tluTidRC' Kristin (iallanhcr Mojtlian Cirady Caitliii Gritfiii ('alloy .hmos Ak'lnha I’ano .Anna Tumor Mont^jio/hann Layout Editor .Vshlei' Matlheus Literature Advisor •Suzanne Hrill Design Advisor Dana (.lay The Mnvditli llcrakl is pub- lislu'il by tlio Collosto throufth- out tho aoadoniic year. The paixT is futided by llio Colk'so and throut-th indoix'iidont advertising. .Ml atb'ortisonienLs sliculd lx.’ sent to honildc inortditli.edu. The ojiiidon.s expressed in the editorial columns do not nceessarily reflect those of the College administration, facultv. or student bodv. Tlic policy of this paper reejuires that subniis- sion.s l)c made by .5 p.in. the Thursday before pub lication, allowing lime for eonsiiltution between .staff and contributors; that articles notc.xceed 700 words; that letters to the editor not exceed coo words; and that contribu tors sign all submissions and provide necessary eontaii information. The . editor and staff w elcome submissions meeting the abo\ e guidelines. Please email them to heraldci? mcrcdith.edu IkiblidictI In/ I/inton I'rcss Wake Country Courthouse, photo courtesy of godowntownraleigh.com Many pro-life and pro-choice advocates attended the Wake County Board of Commission ers hearing. Dorothy Yduung, an official of North Carolina Right to Life, expressed her support of the ban, while holding her infant in her arms. In opposition of the ban, Sandy Babb, a board mem ber of NARAL (National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action Leagu.e), was quoted in saying that this ban is a “slap in the face of every female employee of Wake County.” Wake County officials continue to say that they will stand by the ruling as it is based on legality and not questions of morality. American Civil Liberties Union. They argue against the ruling, say ing that “North Carolina statutes give broad authority to both cities and counties to pro'vide whatever health insurance and other ben efits the city council or county commissioners deem appropri ate.” As reported in the News and Observer, there is a very heated debate over whether or not county administrators should be able revoke an aspect of health cover age that the was once previously approved. The N&O also notes that Democratic commissioners Lindy Brown and Stan Norwalk said they had each received more than 500 e-mails from citizens who are op posed to the elective abortion ban. We need writers, photographers, copyeditors, iayout assistants, advertisers, marketing enthusiasts, designers, and even astroiogists. Think you can contribute? interested in writing, reporting, brainstorming, or heiping with the Herald? Email us: herald@meredith.edu
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March 3, 2010, edition 1
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