CRS Issue Statement on Abortion, Family Planning, and Reproductive Health

Jon O. Shimabukuro, Coordinator
Legislative Attorney

Congress has maintained a longstanding interest in abortion since 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court first recognized that a woman has a constitutional right to choose whether to terminate her pregnancy. Since the Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, there have been numerous efforts in Congress to restrict the availability of abortion through proposed constitutional and statutory amendments, and through funding restrictions attached to appropriations and authorizations measures. The availability of insurance coverage for elective abortions has also been an issue in the ongoing debate over health reform. Bills that would establish constitutional protection for entities at all stages of life, provide funds for international family planning organizations, and address the abridgement of state parental consent and notification requirements may be considered by Congress during the second session of the 111th Congress. 

Legislation that attempts to reduce the number of uninsured individuals and restructure the private health insurance market has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House- and Senate-passed measures include provisions that address the coverage of abortion by health benefits plans that would be available through a health insurance exchange. The abortion provisions have been controversial, particularly with regard to the use of federal affordability credits or premium subsidies to obtain health coverage that includes coverage for elective abortion services.


Date of Report: January 11, 2010
Number of Pages: 3
Order Number: IS40251
Price: $7.95

Document available electronically as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail congress@pennyhill.com or call us at 301-253-0881.