New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the state’s Legislature are making efforts to cover out-of-pocket costs for women seeking abortion services. This move comes as several Democrat-led states aim to ease access to abortion following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. While ten states, including New Jersey, already require health insurers to cover abortion services, New Jersey is the only state among them that still allows out-of-pocket costs, according to non-profit KFF.
Governor Murphy, a Democrat, recently emphasized the need to eliminate these out-of-pocket expenses during his annual address. Supporters argue that even women with insurance coverage may struggle to meet their deductibles, which often exceed $1,000. The cost of an abortion can vary depending on factors such as whether it is medication-induced or surgical. Planned Parenthood estimates that a medication-induced abortion typically costs between $600 and $800, while a surgical procedure could cost up to $2,000.
Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, executive of Planned Parenthood Action of New Jersey, stated, “We don’t want those having to make the decision between paying for groceries or having the care that they need.” Proponents of the legislation believe that addressing out-of-pocket costs will ensure that women have access to the care they require without financial burden.
The push for this legislation comes as Democrats have expanded their majority in the Legislature and during a presidential election year where the party hopes the issue of abortion will help secure victories in November. Democrats in New Jersey have been actively seeking to expand abortion services in the state and mitigate the effects of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
New Jersey has already enshrined abortion rights in law, increased funding for abortion services, and mandated regulated health insurance plans to cover the procedure. Governor Murphy has made it clear that New Jersey will continue to be a “safe haven for reproductive freedom.” However, the cost of implementing the proposed law, its funding source, and the potential impact on insurance premiums remain uncertain. California, for example, eliminated insurance charges related to abortion in 2022, resulting in an expected increase in insurance premiums.
New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz has indicated that expanding access to abortion is likely to be part of a broader budget discussion. Ruiz emphasized the importance of granting women more body autonomy, stating that her 7-year-old daughter currently has less autonomy than her mother had in her lifetime.
While the leaders of both legislative chambers support abortion access, there is skepticism among legislative Republicans regarding the governor’s proposal. Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio stated that his party is focused on “pocketbook issues” that affect all residents of the state. State Senator Declan O’Scanlon called the issue a “red herring” since state law already protects abortion access.
As the debate over abortion access continues to unfold across the country, New Jersey’s efforts to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion may serve as a significant development in ensuring reproductive rights and healthcare for women. The impact of this legislation, including its potential costs and implications for insurance premiums, remains to be seen.
