HB557 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Ed HenryWes LongBecky NordgrenJohn MerrillKen Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Abortions, health insurance coverage of elective abortions, prohibited, exceptions, Abortion Coverage Prohibition Act

Summary

HB557 would require private health insurance in Alabama to cover elective abortions only if the policyholder buys a separate rider and pays an extra premium.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits coverage of elective abortions in Alabama health plans unless an optional rider is added and an additional premium is paid. The rule applies to a broad range of plans and insurers, including individual, group, nonprofit, and self-insured arrangements. Elective abortion is defined as any abortion for reasons other than spontaneous abortion or to save the woman's life. The act does not create a right to abortion or legalize abortions that are currently unlawful, and it becomes law a few months after passage and gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Private health insurance policyholders in Alabama who want elective abortion coverage must purchase a separate rider and pay extra.
• Health insurers, nonprofit health service corporations, group/blanket insurers, HMOs, and self-insured employers in Alabama that offer health plans; they must implement rider-based coverage and collect the additional premium.

Key Provisions

• No health insurance contract may provide coverage for elective abortions unless the policy includes an optional rider with an additional premium.
• Elective abortion is defined as any abortion for non-spontaneous reasons and not to prevent death.
• Coverage scope includes health insurers, nonprofit organizations, group/blanket plans, HMOs, and self-insured employers.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.
• Severability: if any provision is invalid, it is severable and the remainder stays in effect.
• No right to abortion is created; the act does not make unlawful abortions lawful.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Abortion