By RAY HENRY The Associated Press - Published: June 4, 2009
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A bill forcing health insurers in Rhode Island to provide infertility treatment to unmarried people and gay couples was withdrawn Wednesday after its sponsor concluded it was unlikely to survive a veto from Gov. Don Carcieri.
Rep. Edith Ajello, D-Providence, pulled the bill shortly before a planned floor vote because she said she didn’t have the votes necessary to overturn a veto and encountered opposition from other Democrats. She plans to reintroduce her bill when Carcieri leaves office in 2011.
Her bill would have required health insurers in Rhode Island to provide infertility treatment to women up to 45 years old regardless of whether they are married. Under the current law, insurers need only provide that coverage to married women 42 or younger.
The bill had implications for the gay marriage debate in Rhode Island, the only state in New England that does not recognize gay unions. New Hampshire lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday legalizing gay marriage, and the governor signed the bill.
Tags : infertility, laws
