The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would bar the use of any federal funds in paying for an abortion, including tax subsidies to purchase insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
On Jan. 28, the House voted 227 to 188, with one lawmaker voting "present," to approve H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. The bill would make permanent the Hyde Amendment, an annual rider placed on spending bills that prohibits federal funds from being used to pay for abortions. H.R. 7 would also bar individuals and small businesses from using federal tax subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to purchase health plans that include coverage for abortion.
The bill includes exceptions in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother’s life is endangered.
The bill is not expected to advance in the Senate.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), said that without the new legislation, the ACA would create a massive expansion of public funding for abortion. He estimated that of the 112 health plans available to members of Congress and their staff through the ACA, 103 include coverage of abortion services.
But reproductive health advocates said the bill interferes with a woman’s private health care decisions and attempts to restrict the health care services that can be offered in private insurance plans.
"This bill is as callous as it is cynical, denying insurance coverage of critical health care to millions of women across the U.S. and worsening especially the hardship of women already struggling under challenging economic conditions," Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.
mschneider@frontlinemedcom.com
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