The House of Representatives passed a measure Thursday evening in a 251-172 vote to amend the federal health care bill to include protections against federal tax funding of abortion, as well as strengthened conscience rights for health care providers.
The measure would amend President Obama’s Affordable Care Act to reflect the Hyde amendment by prohibiting taxpayer dollars from funding any health plan that includes coverage of elective abortions. The measure retains Hyde’s exception for abortions performed due to the child’s conception in rape or incest or to save the mother’s life.
The bill also makes clear that no health insurance carrier may be forced to provide coverage of abortion in any of its health plans, and strengthens the conscience rights of health care workers and institutions to reject abortion training, procedures, or referrals.
The bill is not expected to even receive a vote in the Democrat-controlled Senate, and also faces a veto threat from President Obama.
Source: LifeSiteNews.com