QUEBEC ORDERED TO PAY FOR WOMEN'S ABORTIONS

The government has been ordered to pay abortion bills for as many as 45,000 women who had abortions in the province. The Superior Court has ordered the Quebec government to repay more than $13 million billed to 45,000 women who paid $200-$300 for authorized abortions outside of the hospital system since 1999. The court said abortions are covered under the Quebec Health Insurance Act, and the women should not have been charged extra. The class-action lawsuit was launched in 2002 by the Association for Access to Abortion.

- Excerpts, Quebec ordered to pay for women's abortions, CanWes, 19 Aug 06.