(AP) -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Legislature's veto override of a bill expanding religious exemptions from insurance coverage for birth control is the latest example of how Missouri has become a center point in a national debate about pregnancy.
Missouri's law is apparently the first to intentionally contradict an Obama administration policy requiring insurers to cover birth control for women at no additional cost. But the override was closer than expected in the House. One lawmaker acknowledged skipping the vote because he was disgruntled with Missouri Right to Life.
The override came a month after Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin garnered attention because of his comments about pregnancy and rape. Before that, the Missouri House gained headlines for honoring Rush Limbaugh despite protests about comments he made about a proponent of insurance coverage for contraception.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG