Stricter Medicaid abortion process up for debate in Montana

By AMY BETH HANSON
Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Officials in Republican-controlled Montana want to require authorization before the state’s health department pays for abortions for people covered by Medicaid. Critics say the proposed rule change would reduce access and delay or even prevent abortion care for low-income women. The Department of Public Health and Human Services is taking public comment Thursday. The proposal would also bar physician assistants or advanced practice nurses from providing Medicaid-funded abortion care. The agency says a review of abortions over the past decade leads it to believe it was paying for elective abortions, in part because providers weren’t adequately explaining the reason for an abortion.