The Senate passed bills Tuesday pertaining to confidentiality for abortion providers, minority party representation on an emergency health committee and payouts for employment discrimination. Senate Bill 158, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, focuses on confidentiality rights for medical providers. The bill allows anyone who is a reproductive health care services provider or employee to apply for participation in …
A bill that would require Medicaid and other health insurance plans to cover abortion services passed the House Health & Human Development Committee with all Democrats and one Republican voting for it. House Bill 110, sponsored by Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-Newcastle, would make sure that Medicaid and state insurers don’t require deductibles, coinsurances, copayments or any other cost-sharing requirement for …
A bill filed Friday in the Delaware House would require Medicaid and other health insurers to cover abortion services without requiring deductibles, coinsurance, copayment or any other cost-sharing requirements. House Bill 110, sponsored by House Majority Whip Melissa Minor-Brown, would also have an exemption for religious employers who ask for an exclusion based on their “bona fide religious beliefs and …
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision that gave individual states the power to regulate abortion, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings on Monday announced a hotline Delawareans and out-of-staters can call to answer questions about abortion access in the First State. Those with questions about abortion access can call (302) 992-8096 or toll-free at (877) 312-2366. A …
Delaware’s Democrat-majority Senate on Tuesday sent several controversial bills to Gov. John Carney for his signature. Most of the topics seemed ripped from headlines. The gun bill would bar anyone under 21 from buying or owning a gun, as well as controlling a firearm or ammunition. The abortion bill will increase the number of health professionals who can perform an …
A bill to ban abortions that occur 20 or more weeks after fertilization failed in a Delaware Senate committee Tuesday. Senate Bill 235, dubbed the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” asserts that fetuses are capable of experiencing pain around 20 weeks after fertilization. Advancements in medical science and technology have moved the point of viability forward necessitating additional protections for …
Democratic lawmakers filed legislation Thursday they say will improve the availability of abortions and protect patients and providers from facing legal action under other states’ abortion laws. Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle, Rep. Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, and Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Talleyville, announced the legislation in the wake of a leaked draft opinion suggesting the United States Supreme Court may …
The Delaware House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to allow physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe abortion medications in Delaware. House Bill 320 passed along party lines. Under federal regulations, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses are authorized to prescribe Mifepristone, Misoprostol, or Mifeprex for use within ten weeks of pregnancy. Health care …
A day after killing her first bill dealing with protections for medical professionals dealing with gender-affirming care, Rep. DeShanna Neal introduced a new version Wednesday. The Elsmere/Newport representative’s House Bill 346 would expand protections for individuals seeking, receiving and providing gender-affirming health care. “As a mother to two beautiful transgender daughters, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of gender-affirming care. …
A Delaware legislator who identifies as nonbinary on Tuesday asked to strike a proposed bill that would protect medical professionals who provide general-affirming medical care. Rep. DeShanna Neal, D-Elsmere/Newport, introduced House Bill 230 in June 2023 and asked on Tuesday for the bill to be dropped from consideration. Neal didn’t give a reason during the session. Efforts were unsuccessful to …
