Louisiana Legislature: No Malpractice Coverage for Elective Abortions

Doctors shouldn’t be covered under medical malpractice laws when they are providing elective abortions, the Louisiana Legislature has decided.

The Senate gave final passage with a 31-2 vote to the bill by Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Marksville. It would prohibit health care providers from receiving coverage under state and private Medical Malpractice Acts when performing an abortion of “an uncomplicated, viable pregnancy” that isn’t required to save the life of the mother.

The measure, House Bill 1453, is headed to the governor’s desk, despite concerns raised by some lawmakers about denying coverage for a legal medical procedure. Johnson acknowledged he wasn’t aware of any such carve-out for other medical procedures.

No one spoke against the proposal on the Senate floor.

Topics Louisiana Medical Professional Liability