Something strange has happened that I don’t quite understand. It seems the governor of Virginia has added an amendment to a bill approved by the General Assembly. How does this work? Why is the executive branch able to do legislative tasks? Here is what happened:
RICHMOND — Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has added an amendment restricting insurance coverage for abortion into a bill approved by the General Assembly establishing a health insurance exchange as part of the federal health-care overhaul.
The health insurance exchange would be managed by the state and allow individuals and some small businesses to pool together to buy insurance at lower rates. Some who cannot afford insurance would receive government subsidies.
Under the federal law, states were given the option of creating their own exchanges or using ones operated by the federal government.
The bill approved by the General Assembly stated Virginia’s intent to create its own exchange, and directed state regulators to figure out how to run it.
After the bill reached McDonnell (R) for his signature, he added an amendment that would prohibit any insurance plan offered as part of the exchange from including coverage for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk.
