Morgentaler to sue N.B. over abortion costs

Henry Morgentaler says he's taking the New Brunswick government to court for refusing to pay for abortions in his private clinic.

"I accuse the government of New Brunswick of being sexist, male chauvinists (and) of victimizing and oppressing women," the 79-year-old doctor said in Fredericton on Wednesday.

"By not paying for abortions, the New Brunswick government has been saving money on the misery of women."

CBC ARCHIVES: Dr. Henry Morgentaler

About 500 abortions are performed at Morgentaler's clinic in Fredericton each year. Patients pay between $475 and $725.

Morgentaler says those costs should be covered by medicare. And he also disagrees with the government's requirement that women must get consent from two physicians before an abortion can be performed.

The doctor says the province has saved $16 million from the policy, by causing women to seek abortions in other provinces or south of the border, or by paying for them themselves.

He's hired lawyers to sue New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which also does not fully pay for abortions in private clinics.

Morgentaler said it will be several weeks before the suits can be filed and he estimates it will cost him $1 million in legal fees.

The two Maritime provinces stand by their policies.

New Brunswick Justice Minister Brad Green said the policy meets the requirements of the Canada Health Act. He says he's confident the province will successfully defend itself.

Peter Ryan of the New Brunswick Right to Life Association said abortions are not medically necessary and public money should not be used to pay for them.