Politics & Government
Abortion Insurance Rider and More on Michigan Legislature's End-of-Year Agenda
Lawmakers could approve a bill that requires women to purchase separate insurance for abortion coverage.
Michigan lawmakers have just nine session days scheduled, and a lot of work ahead of them, when they return Tuesday from their Thanksgiving break.
Here are a few pieces of legislation that may move forward before the end of the year:
1. Campaign finance changes
The Detroit News reports that a bill to "provide legalized anonymity" for donors who fund "issues ads" that attack candidates is moving quickly to Gov. Rick Snyder's desk. Other campaign finance changes under consideration include increased limits for donations to political party committees and state-wide candidates.2. Separate abortion insurance rider
On Monday, the state Board of Canvassers is expected to certify petitions that would allow state lawmakers to approve, without a signature from Gov. Rick Snyder, a new law requiring a separate insurance rider for abortion coverage. House Speaker Jase Bolger's spokesperson Ari Adler told the Detroit Free Press, “We don’t have a decision yet on what action we’re going to take."3. Medicaid expansion funding
Columnist Tim Skubick at Mlive.com anticipates that lawmakers will approve funds to expand Medicaid and cover an additional 300,000 uninsured Michiganders. Skubick also notes that lawmakers may choose to spend just six days in session before returning to their districts.Any bills that aren't passed before the end of the month will move onto the legislature's 2014 calendar.
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