BEND, OR -- Abortion access took center stage at Wednesday's meeting of the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, during a discussion about employee health coverage. They were asked to vote on seven changes to the county's health insurance plan previously approved by an Employee Benefits Advisory Committee (EBAC). One proposed change would list abortion as a covered health service. In a memo to Commissioners, the EBAC says it's a state mandated covered benefit and removing the abortion exclusion would align the county with most other employers in Oregon.

Commissioners Tony DeBone and Patti Adair - both of whom are running for re-election - voted to maintain the current language. Commissioner Phil Chang disagreed and asked the two to go on the record with their reasons for opposing the EBAC's recommendation. DeBone responded saying it's a political discussion, "I support having it here in front of us, as the Board of Commissioners, and coming to the same conclusion as I’ve had before. And, the values I bring to this office." Adair added, "I would agree with the values and the fact that our plan is in compliance, per legal, and it has been grandfathered in." She went on to say, "The current plan excludes abortion services or treatment, unless the life of the mother is in danger by the continued pregnancy, or the pregnancy is the result of rape or instes [sic]. So, if they have a relationship with a doctor, apparently, I think that’s the way I’d like it to stand."

Chang pushed back, saying denying coverage won't reduce the number of abortions in the county, "All this would do is send a message to our employees that if they need to make that hard and difficult decision, we are not supporting them." He added, "We are hearing from employees that they would like to have this benefit. EBAC voted 14-1 to support this change and the cost is very small. Comparing to other employers’ plans indicates that we are out of step with most other employers on this issue."

Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve the other six recommended changes, most of which were administrative in nature.