On July 11, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government approved, by voice vote, its FY2001 spending bill (as-yet-unnumbered). The full committee will consider the bill on July 18.
As approved by the subcommittee, the bill maintains current law with respect to abortion coverage and contraceptive coverage. Health plans that participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) would be prohibited from providing abortion coverage. Additionally, health plans participating in FEHBP would be required to cover prescription contraceptives if they also cover other prescription drugs. The bill includes a conscience clause provision that was enacted last year. Individuals who prescribe or otherwise provide for contraceptives would be exempted from providing contraceptives if they object on religious or moral grounds. Additionally, religiously-affiliated health plans also would be exempted.
