Gov. Corbett signs anti-abortion coverage bill in Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is joining about 20 other states in limiting coverage of abortions under health-care insurance policies offered in a federally run insurance marketplace starting next year under a sweeping federal law.

Gov. Tom Corbett’s office said he signed the billtoday, without offering any comment. In the past, Corbett’s office has said that it would not place any greater restrictions on access to abortion than already exist.

Critics of the bill, primarily Democrats, say it expands restrictions on abortion rights and discriminates against poor women. Support in the Republican-controlled Legislature was bipartisan, and sponsors said it is consistent with Pennsylvania’s longstanding ban on prohibiting taxpayers from supporting elective abortions because the insurance marketplace will be run with taxpayer money.