New US “abortion non-discrimination act” faces legal challenges

The state of California and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association are challenging the “abortion non-discrimination amendment” that a Congressman has attached to a federal funding bill.

The amendment allows doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies to refuse to provide, pay for, or give referrals for abortions—without penalty. It conflicts with an existing law, called Title X, that requires many health providers to inform pregnant women of all options, including abortion.

If a state tries to enforce state laws safeguarding a woman's right to abortion information and services, it might lose billions of dollars in federal funding.

Eve Gartner, senior staff attorney at Planned …