Senate OKs ban on insurance for elective abortions

State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe Photo: John Marshall, Houston Chronicle Photo: John Marshall, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Senate OKs ban on insurance for elective abortions 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN — Legislation that would ban insurance coverage for elective abortions was given final approval Wednesday by the Texas Senate.

Senate Bill 8 is among 20 issues that Gov. Greg Abbott has identified as must-pass measures for the special legislative session now underway at the State Capitol.

State Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Conroe Republican and bill author, said the legislation would prohibit coverage of elective abortions in insurance plans like other states have done.

In nearly two hours of debate, Senate Democrats tried unsucessfully to amend the legislation to allow for a variety of exceptions — for sexual assault victims, and the poor, among others.

The GOP-backed measure passed 20-11, mostly along party lines.