As a result of federal health care reform, states are establishing new insurance exchanges where individuals and small businesses are able to buy health insurance. In several states, lawmakers are singling out abortion and prohibiting insurance companies from including abortion coverage in their policies. The trend is fast-moving and startling: overall, 10 states passed bans on abortion coverage and 25 banned coverage in their exchanges.

While alarming, this trend represents a renewed effort to deny women insurance coverage for abortion care. Several states already prevent insurance companies from offering abortion coverage. And for years, laws have severely curtailed coverage for people insured through state or federal programs, including low-income women, public employees, military families, Peace Corps volunteers, and Native Americans.