Women's Groups, AHIP Raise Concerns With HHS Spending Bill's 'Conscience Rights' Provisions

Women's groups are upset with provisions tucked in the HHS spending bill marked up by a House Appropriations subcommittee that would allow consumers to refuse a plan because it covers abortion services or another “item or service to which such individual has a moral or religious objection,” and insurance plans worry the language could raise an issue between states and the federal government if a state has imposed a mandate to provide this type of benefit. The draft bill heading...