Council approves elective abortion insurance coverage for city workers

Cincinnati will soon add coverage for elective abortions to health insurance plans for city workers. Council voted unanimously Wednesday to repeal a 2001 ordinance that prohibited that coverage.

“What we can say is that we are clear that women's bodies do not belong to the government,” said Council Member Meeka Owens. “The ability to self-determine what life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness means is, in fact, an inherent right, that we will do everything in our power to protect.”

The repeal allows Interim City Manager John Curp to modify the health insurance policy so that it covers elective abortions. The policy already covers abortion that is medically necessary. And about 1,600 of the city’s approximately 6,000 employees already had full coverage for abortion services because it was negotiated as part of their AFSCME union contract.

The new coverage will take effect immediately.