What is the history behind the abortion-coverage ban?
In 1976, Congress passed a law banning the use of federal funds for abortions. The idea was that taxpayers who oppose abortion shouldn’t have to see their tax dollars used for the procedure. That ban only applies to funds distributed through the annual appropriations for the Health and Human Services Department. Money for new health insurance coverage wouldn’t be allocated that way. Q: How many women would be affected by the House ban? A: There’s no estimate on how many women would qualify for government health care or subsidies. Under the House bill, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2019 as many as 21 million people could be buying insurance with subsidies, which are aimed primarily at helping people who can’t get insurance through work. The CBO estimates 6 million could get covered through a government-run plan. Q: Could women get abortion coverage another way if the coverage ban in the House bill became law? A: If insurance companies offer so-called riders for abort
