The Trump regime today issued a final rule that critics say will add to the long list of impediments women face when seeking an abortion. The rule, which is scheduled to take effect Feb. 27, 2020—60 days after publication in the Federal Register—requires companies that provide health insurance through the exchanges set up under the Affordable Care Act to establish separate billing for abortion coverage.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America notes that the rule could harm 3 million women who have health insurance through the exchanges. In addition to following the misogynistic agenda underlying attacks on reproductive rights by forced-birthers, the rule is another example of class war in that it affects the ability of less-affluent women to obtain a legal medical procedure that is meant to be accessible to all, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Currently, companies are required to segregate that portion of premiums that cover abortions, with the proviso that the amount charged cannot be less than $1. A hassle, to be sure, but one handled with simple accounting measures. The new system will mean both insurance companies and those covered must deal with two bills and two payments. Thus is a safe procedure again carved out of standard medical practice for special, negative treatment.

Planned Parenthood states:

Not only could these burdensome administrative requirements lead some of these health insurance companies to drop coverage of abortion altogether, it could also cause people to lose coverage if they fail to follow the new requirements. While the Trump-Pence administration clearly wants to make abortion coverage unavailable, Planned Parenthood Federation of America hopes insurers will continue to offer the full range of reproductive health coverage that people need, including coverage for abortion. America’s Health Insurance Plans and other insurance groups oppose the rule.

Just one more example out of hundreds of measures chipping away at reproductive freedom, each measure often small when viewed in isolation but hugely damaging when taken in the aggregate with the others.