Sioux Falls, S.D. – Alisha Sedor,executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice South Dakota, called the passage of H.B.1185 an appalling overreach into the health care decisions of South Dakota’sfamilies.

"By passing one bill after anotherto restrict the ability of South Dakota women to make their own private,personal medical decisions, the South Dakota Legislature is ignoring the will oftheir constituents,” said Sedor. "South Dakotans have twice voted to keep thegovernment out of the doctor/patient relationship.”

HB 1185, which passed the House Floortoday, will outlaw abortion coverage in the yet-to-be-created health insuranceexchanges as laid out in the Affordable Care Act. This will even apply to SouthDakotans who are paying for their health insurance with their own privatedollars.

"Proponents of HB 1185 claimthis bill is necessary to prevent taxpayer funding for abortions. However, bothfederal and state law already prohibit the use of public funds for abortioncare.” Sedor said. "Takingaway insurance coverage for abortion does not reduce the need. It simplycreates a barrier for women to access the safe medical care they need and mayforce some women to resort to dangerous measures.”

Contact: Alisha Sedor, 605.334.5065

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NARAL Pro-Choice South Dakota'smission is to develop and sustain a constituency that uses the politicalprocess to guarantee every woman the right to make personal decisions regardingthe full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintendedpregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion.