HHS investigates 13 states where insurance covers abortion

The U.S. Department of Health and Services has launched an investigation into 13 states where health insurance plans cover abortion. HHS says the states are in violation of the Weldon Amendment, a federal policy aimed at protecting health care providers from being forced to perform abortions (and other services) if it conflicts with their moral or religious beliefs. All but one state has a Democratic governor. HHS says the states have either disregarded or are confused about compliance with the amendment. Several governors have pushed back. “This so-called ‘compliance review’ is nothing more than a façade aimed at restricting abortion access,” Maine Gov. Janet Mills said. “Maine will not be intimidated, nor will we back down from defending reproductive freedoms.”