HB 4597 Summary

• Prohibits health professionals and health facilities from seeking or accepting reimbursement for elective abortion services from qualified health plans, expense-incurred policies, health maintenance organizations, or health care corporations unless coverage is provided through an optional rider.

• Exempts legitimate and routine obstetric care, diagnostic testing, and other non-abortion procedures from the reimbursement prohibition.

• Establishes civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation, with the department investigating alleged violations and the attorney general authorized to enforce the provision.

• Permits health professionals and facilities to discuss abortion services with pregnant patients and does not create a right to abortion; affirms that no person may perform an abortion prohibited by law.

• Takes effect January 1, 2014, contingent upon enactment of HB 4065 and HB 4066.