Oklahoma governor vetoes bill to limit insurers’ abortion coverage

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Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry vetoed an abortion bill that would limit coverage by private insurers.

The bill would bar state insurance exchanges, created under the new federal healthcare law, from covering most abortions.

Henry issued his veto late Wednesday night.

The bill included exceptions for cases of rape, incest or to prevent the death of the mother. Coverage for abortions could be obtained through a separate supplemental policy.

Henry said even rape or incest victims who did not report crimes against them within a specified time frame would be denied coverage.

It’s the fourth anti-abortion measure the Democratic governor has vetoed this year. The Republican-controlled Legislature successfully overrode the previous three vetoes.

-- Associated Press