BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Pro-life Republicans failed to amend a measure creating a state-based insurance exchange with prohibitions on emergency contraceptive coverage.
The House voted Wednesday 38-32 against the gambit meant to add limits to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's exchange proposal forbidding insurance coverage for the drugs "Plan B" and "ella," used after intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
Though no studies show they cause abortions, Republican Rep. Vito Barbieri suggested otherwise and argued Idaho's existing law forbidding insurers on its exchange from offering coverage for abortions wasn't good enough.
Democratic Minority Leader John Rusche, a doctor and former health insurance executive, pointed out the lack of scientific evidence
The debate got heated, when GOP Rep. Thyra Stevenson suggested Rusche had a conflict of interest.
Speaker Scott Bedke warned Stevenson, telling her she was being inappropriate.
