(SB780)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 780, which prohibits health insurance plans that cover outpatient prescription drugs from charging co-pays, co-insurance, or fees for contraceptive drugs and devices.

I support contraception access, but the General Assembly failed to adopt my commonsense amendments which included the addition of an explicit conscience clause exemption for those with sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs. Without such protections, many organizations would be forced to violate their religious or ethical beliefs about contraception should this bill have become law. These entities would thus be forced to choose between following the law or following their deeply and sincerely held beliefs—a choice the Commonwealth must not require them to make.

In addition, the legislation is not fully aligned with U.S. Code, particularly related to coverage of preventive health services, and may create confusion or inconsistency in implementation.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.