US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB719

Introduced
1/24/25  

Caption

No Abortion Coverage for Medicaid ActThis bill prohibits the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from approving experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects under Medicaid (also known as Section 1115 Demonstrations) if the project provides federal financial assistance for abortions or for health benefits that include abortions, including expenses for related travel or lodging.The bill's restrictions do not apply to abortions in the cases of rape or incest; treatments to address life-threatening physical disorders, injuries, or illnesses; or treatments for miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies.

Impact

The proposed bill aims to solidify restrictions that align with the longstanding Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being allocated for abortion services except in certain exceptional cases, such as rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions. By explicitly disallowing funding for demonstration projects that involve abortion coverage, the bill seeks to reinforce the existing limitations on reproductive health services provided through Medicaid and CHIP. This change would further entrench federal policy against public funding of abortion, potentially limiting options for many low-income individuals who rely on these programs for health services.

Summary

House Bill 719, known as the 'No Abortion Coverage for Medicaid Act,' seeks to amend Title XI of the Social Security Act by restricting federal funding for abortion-related demonstration projects under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill directly targets the flexibility that states have in using federal funds for elective abortion services, asserting that such access should not be expanded via demonstration projects. This legislative action comes in response to perceived overreach by the Department of Health and Human Services, which had invited states to utilize this funding to broaden access to abortion services.

Contention

The introduction of HB 719 is likely to provoke significant debate among lawmakers, particularly in light of the contrasting views on abortion access in the United States. Supporters argue that the bill is a necessary measure to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortions, viewing it as a moral obligation. Conversely, opponents may contend that this bill infringes upon women's rights and access to essential healthcare services. They could argue that limiting Medicaid's role in funding abortions exacerbates health disparities, particularly for marginalized groups who may not have other means to access reproductive healthcare.

Congress_id

119-HR-719

Policy_area

Health

Notable_points

One of the noteworthy aspects of HB 719 is its reaffirmation of the Hyde Amendment's place in federal health policy, indicating that any future attempts to expand abortion coverage through federal funding will be met with legislative pushback. Furthermore, the bill represents a broader trend of increased scrutiny and restrictions on reproductive rights at both state and federal levels, reflecting ongoing cultural and political divisions surrounding the issue of abortion in the United States.

Introduced_date

2025-01-24

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB936

Medicaid Improvement and State Flexibility Act of 2025This bill authorizes states to approve their own experimental, pilot, or demonstration project under Medicaid if the project provides certain benefits involving electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards. (Currently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approves Medicaid demonstration projects; such projects are also known as Section 1115 Demonstrations.)Specifically, the project must provide enrollees who elect to participate with an EBT card to purchase primary care services; enrollees must receive any remaining balance at the end of the year in the form of a cash payment and must also obtain catastrophic health insurance.

US SB125

End Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Providers ActThis bill prohibits federal funding for entities, or their affiliates, that perform abortions, provide referrals for abortions, or provide funding to others that perform abortions. It provides exceptions for abortions (1) in the case of rape or incest, or (2) when a physician certifies there is a danger of death to the woman without an abortion. The bill’s prohibition applies to any federal statutory law adopted after the bill’s effective date, unless such law contains an explicit exemption. 

US HB236

Notice For Medication Abortions

US SB251

Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts ActThis bill excludes expenses paid for an abortion from qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from certain tax-exempt savings accounts. (Some exceptions apply.)Under the bill, amounts paid for an abortion, other than an excluded abortion, are not qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from a health savings account, Archer medical savings account, health flexible spending arrangement, health reimbursement arrangement, or retiree health account.The bill defines excluded abortion as any abortion (1) related to a pregnancy that is the result of rape or incest; or (2) performed because a woman is suffering from a physical disorder, injury, or illness (including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself) that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death if an abortion were not performed.

US HB720

Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts ActThis bill excludes expenses paid for an abortion from qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from certain tax-exempt savings accounts. (Some exceptions apply.)Under the bill, amounts paid for an abortion, other than an excluded abortion, are not qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from a health savings account, Archer medical savings account, health flexible spending arrangement, health reimbursement arrangement, or retiree health account.The bill defines excluded abortion as any abortion (1) related to a pregnancy that is the result of rape or incest; or (2) performed because a woman is suffering from a physical disorder, injury, or illness (including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself) that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death if an abortion were not performed.

US SB253

Abortion Is Not Health Care Act of 2025This bill excludes amounts paid for an abortion from the itemized tax deduction for qualified medical and dental expenses, subject to exceptions. Under current law, individuals who itemize their tax deductions may deduct qualified medical and dental expenses to the extent that such expenses exceed 7.5% of the individual’s adjusted gross income for the tax year. Further, under current law, the calculation of the itemized tax deduction for medical and dental expenses may include amounts paid for a legal abortion.Under the bill, amounts paid for an abortion may not be claimed as part of the itemized deduction for medical and dental expenses. However, under the bill, amounts paid for an abortion may be included in the itemized deduction for medical and dental expenses if (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest; or (2) a woman is suffering from a physical disorder, injury, or illness (including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself) that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death if an abortion were not performed.

US SB207

Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2025This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.

US HF775

A bill for an act relating to medication abortions including required informed consent and the dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs to patients within the state.(Formerly HSB 186.)

US HB979

Medicaid; exclude from participation any providers that perform or are affiliated with performance of abortions.

US HB1246

Prohibits the use of fetal organs or tissue resulting from abortions for medical, scientific, research, experimental, or therapeutic purposes or any other use

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.