Abortion Could Kill Health Reform

Could abortion be the hidden trap that kills health care reform? Federal regs already prohibit the use of Medicaid money for the procedure, but 19 anti-abortion Democrats got in front of the issue last month, Time reports. They sent a letter to Nancy Pelosi warning that they won’t support a bill that doesn’t explicitly forbid using federal funds to cover abortions or subsidize private plans that do. Pelosi hasn’t been able to work out a compromise.

Almost 90% of private insurers cover abortion, but that could change if those Democrats have their way. The legislation currently in play in the House would give subsidies to help anyone earning up to 400% of the poverty level buy health insurance. If policies that cover abortion are verboten, insurers may cease covering it. Abortion rights groups have countered with a poll showing that 71% of likely voters favor using federal funds for abortion coverage. (More abortion stories.)