After Rob McKenna's rude interaction with Kendra Obom, we finally have an answer to Rob Mckenna's stance on the Reproductive Parity Act.
Mr. McKenna's Statement on the Reproductive Parity Act
"I support our existing, voter-approved state law which guarantees women
access to insurance coverage for reproductive healthcare, I do not support changing the law in a way that could put
federal funding of women's healthcare at risk."
That means; no, he doesn't support the Reproductive Parity Act. Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Naral Pro-Choice Washington issued this statement: (forwarded from Cienna Madrid at Slog the Stranger)
McKenna Issues Statement Full of False Claims Regarding Reproductive Parity Act
Concerns Addressed During Legislative Session
Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and NARAL Pro-Choice Washington are
disappointed that Rob McKenna is misleading voters by making false
statements about the Reproductive Parity Act. This legislation requires
all health insurance policies sold in the state that cover maternity
care to provide comparable coverage for abortion care.
McKenna falsely claimed today
that the Reproductive Parity Act will “put federal funding of women’s
health care at risk” by addressing the Weldon Amendment. However, if he
read the current legislation he would see that the Weldon Amendment was
raised during the legislative session and is fully addressed in the bill
as it stands. Under the Weldon Amendment, states may not "discriminate"
against providers who do not offer abortion services.
The Reproductive Parity Act has been drafted specifically to protect
insurance carriers in the state of Washington against discrimination and
will keep our state compliant with the federal requirements of the
Weldon Amendment. Every carrier currently selling in Washington covers
abortion, and they have no objection to the RPA. Washington has an
existing conscience clause for new providers wishing to be admitted into
the state that do not want to include abortion in any of their health
plans.
In fact, pro-choice leaders Jay Inslee, then a Congressman in the 1st,
and Congressmen Jim McDermott (D-7) and Adam Smith (D-9) already sent this letter that you can download here to
President Obama addressing the Weldon Amendment and supporting access
to women’s health care coverage and the Reproductive Parity Act (HB
2330).
“The bill includes language that if the application of the Reproductive
Parity Act results in non-compliance with Weldon, the requirement would
be suspended for that health plan,” write Congressmen Inslee, McDermott
and Smith.
“This is a red herring,” said Elaine Taylor Rose, CEO of Planned
Parenthood Votes Northwest. “McKenna is attempting to dodge the issue by
directing the media’s attention to a false claim, just as he dodged the
question from a young voter who asked where he stands on the
Reproductive Parity Act yesterday.”
The Reproductive Parity Act passed out of the House on February 13 and
but got caught up in Senate budget negotiations and stalled there.
“The Reproductive Parity Act is critical because all women need and
deserve access to health insurance coverage for basic reproductive
health care, including abortion services,” said Jennifer N. Brown, NARAL
Pro-Choice Washington Executive Director. “Without the RPA, women in
Washington risk losing access to the insurance coverage for abortion
care they have today.”
Cienna Madrid perfectly summed up Rob McKenna on Slog:
So: Either McKenna is commenting on legislation he hasn't read, as the
ladies politely suggest, making him a terrible AG (and gubernatorial
candidate), or he's read the legislation, understand its effects, and chooses to misrepresent it.
