"The state of Connecticut declared abortion an “essential health benefit” last week and, as a result, the procedure must be covered by the state’s health exchange under the Affordable Care Act. A state health panel voted unanimously to consider all abortions - not just abortions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the woman’s life - essential health benefits that must be covered by Connecticut’s insurance plans when the state’s health exchange goes into effect in 2014."