Israeli health officials said Monday that the state is expected to start funding abortions next year for women aged 20-33 regardless of circumstance, Haaretz reported.
The new funding was approved as part of a state-subsidized “health basket,” according to Haaretz, and will make room for 6,300 more women to receive a state-funded abortion at a cost of 16 million shekels, the equivalent of $4.6 million. Eventually, health officials want to extend funding to women up to age 40.
Abortions subsidized by the state were already available in medical emergencies or in cases of rape and sexual abuse. Women will still be required to appear before a state committee in order to terminate a pregnancy, according to Haaretz, despite the new funding.
