SB321 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shadrack McGill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

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

Summary

SB321 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 bans health insurance plans from covering elective abortions unless an optional rider is purchased and an additional premium is paid. It defines elective abortion as any abortion for reasons other than a spontaneous abortion or to save the mother's life. It applies to health insurers, nonprofit health organizations, group and blanket plans, HMOs, and self-insured employer plans in Alabama. It states there is no right to abortion created by the act and includes severability and an effective date after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Private health insurance policyholders in Alabama who would need to purchase a separate rider and pay more for elective abortion coverage.
• Health insurers and employers that provide health plans in Alabama (including those with self-insured plans) who must implement the rider-based coverage and collect the additional premium.

Key Provisions

• The act is titled the Abortion Coverage Prohibition Act.
• No health insurance contract delivered in Alabama may provide coverage for elective abortions unless there is an optional rider with an additional premium.
• Elective abortion is defined as any abortion for reasons other than spontaneous abortion or to prevent the death of the pregnant person.
• The act applies to health insurers, nonprofit health service and medical organizations, group and blanket insurers, HMOs, and self-insured employer plans.
• The act does not create a right to abortion and is not intended to make abortion lawful where it is currently illegal.
• There are severability provisions and an effective date: 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 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Abortion