House Bill Bans Subsidies if Insurance Covers Abortions

The U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday to bar federal subsidies to Americans signing up for health insurance plans that cover abortion, the Associated Press reports. Republicans led the House in voting 227-188 for the measure that they insist is necessary to permanently bar any taxpayer dollars for abortion. The administration says that the health care law and companion executive order prohibits federal funds for abortion is sufficient. The measure "would go well beyond these safeguards by interfering with consumers' private health care choices," the White House said. News Channel 5 has the story.