National concerns about abortion protections have trickled into Rhode Island’s approaching Democratic Primary.
Candidate Matt Brown, the former Secretary of State says he has a more progressive stance on the issue than incumbent, Governor Gina Raimondo.
He distributed a letter supporting his view that was signed by numerous abortion-rights supporters, including Gloria Steinem.
Brown points to the fact that the state offers more health insurance plans that exclude abortion coverage on the state exchange, HealthSource RI, than mandated under the Affordable Care Act.
Currently the state offers six such plans; two plans at each of the three tiers on the exchange, gold, silver, and bronze.
But the state also mandates that employers who want to offer insurance plans without access to abortion must also give employees an option that includes abortion coverage.
If elected, Brown says he would eliminate all but one plan that does not include abortion coverage.
Raimondo’s campaign points out that Rhode Island is one of a minority of states to offer abortion coverage through a state health insurance exchange, and it calls Brown’s criticism — “laughable.”