SB20 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Taxation, one year income tax deduction for Medicaid providers authorized contingent upon rule change by Alabama Medicaid Agency

Summary

SB20 would require elective abortion coverage in Alabama health insurance to be offered only through a separate rider with an additional premium.

What This Bill Does

First, it prohibits health insurance contracts delivered or issued in Alabama from covering elective abortions unless the coverage is provided through an optional rider that requires an extra premium. Second, it defines elective abortion as any abortion for reasons other than spontaneous abortion or to save the mother's life. Third, it applies to many types of plans and providers, including insurers, nonprofit health organizations, group and blanket plans, HMOs, and self insured employers, and the rider must be purchased at least six months before the abortion date. Fourth, the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Private individuals insured under Alabama health plans who may seek elective abortion coverage; such coverage would only exist if they buy a separate rider with an additional cost.
• Health insurers and organizations that issue or administer health plans in Alabama, including nonprofit organizations, group and blanket insurers, HMOs, and self-insured employers; they would be required to offer abortion coverage only through riders and bill extra premiums.

Key Provisions

• Defines elective abortion as any abortion for reasons other than spontaneous abortion or to save the mother's life.
• No health insurance contract delivered in Alabama shall cover elective abortions unless it includes an optional rider with an additional premium.
• The optional rider must be purchased at least six months before the abortion date and applies to a broad range of plans and providers including insurers, nonprofit corporations, group and blanket insurers, HMOs, and self-insured employers.
• Contains severability and noncreation of abortion rights provisions, and specifies the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Taxation