When Barak Obama came into office in 2008, he made health care one of the top items on his agenda. With the health care reform bill recently passing, it would seem that an end to overpriced medical care and uninsured citizens are on the horizon. One of the most critical portions of the health care reform bill was an exclusion of abortion coverage, except in cases of incest, rape, and when a mother’s life is threatened. Obama vowed that abortion would never be paid for with federal money, with the exception of those instances.
Recently, The White House announced final regulations in regards to abortion services in high-risk pools that have some Republicans asking if these regulations will contradict what Obama previously vowed against. The health care reform law mandates coverage for people with pre-existing conditions who cannot find health insurance elsewhere; this particular segment of the population will make up the high-risk pools. Mandatory coverage ends when health reform law requires companies to cover all persons regardless of health issues existing prior to application.
The hot-button topic of abortion coverage had several Republican senators demanding answers from the White House as to whether or not abortion would be allowed in high-risk pools. In rebuttal, Nancy-Ann DeParle, stated that pre and postnatal care, hospitalization, home health and outpatient care, as well as, hospice are covered under Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or FEHBP, further reiterating that abortion would not be covered. As of right now, federal funds are not to be used for abortion, with exceptions being incest or rape, and threat to a mother’s life. DeParle stated that the new policies coincide with Obama’s commitment to leave federal funds designated for abortion services at current levels and keep federal funds from paying for abortions except for those extenuating circumstances listed above. She also stated that the limitations placed on abortion services in not to make an example, but are fitting given the transitory nature of high-risk pool coverage and the population receiving these benefits.
