Oregon House passes bill expanding access to abortion, transgender surgery

State House representatives debated the sweeping bill for about six hours on Monday before Democrats passed the measure. The bill would allow doctors to perform abortions on minors without parental consent, among other things. House Republicans made several attempts to send the bill back to a committee or delay the vote. Only one public hearing was held for the bill, in March, where a large number of opponents and supporters testified in person and submitted written testimony. The bill now heads to the Democratic-controlled state Senate.

What else is included in the legislation? The measure would require insurance companies to cover transgender treatments and procedures. Public universities and community colleges with student health centers would also be required to provide not only emergency contraception but also abortion drugs. Babies are not protected at any stage of pregnancy in Oregon. 

Dig deeper: Read Leah Savas’ report in Vitals on the legal tug-of-war over the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone.