JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri senators have passed legislation specifically allowing employers to refuse to provide health insurance that covers contraception, sterilization or abortion.
The Senate's 28-6 vote Friday moves the bill to the House for final approval. Lawmakers face a constitutional deadline of 6 p.m. Friday to wrap up their work for the 2012 session.
The legislation is a response to a policy announced earlier this year by President Barack Obama's administration. The policy requires insurers to cover birth control at no additional cost to women working at religious institutions such as hospitals and colleges that don't pay for contraption in their health care plans.
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Birth control bill is SB749
Online:
Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov