No Abortion Coverage for Medicaid Act

House Bill

H.R. 719

119th Congress

No Abortion Coverage for Medicaid Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 7, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Josh Chad Brecheen

Representative

Republican

OK-2

Cosponsors

20

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

This bill prohibits CMS from approving Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration projects that provide federal funding for abortions or health benefits covering abortions, including related travel or lodging expenses. Exceptions exist for rape, incest, life-threatening conditions, miscarriages, and ectopic pregnancies. This affects experimental Medicaid waiver programs.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill prohibits CMS from approving Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration projects that provide federal funding for abortions or health benefits covering abortions, including related travel or lodging expenses. Exceptions exist for rape, incest, life-threatening conditions, miscarriages, and ectopic pregnancies. This affects experimental Medicaid waiver programs.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

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.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Prohibits Medicaid demonstration projects covering abortions
Blocks federal funding for abortion travel and lodging
Exempts cases of rape and incest
Exempts life-threatening physical conditions
Exempts treatment for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies
Affects Section 1115 Medicaid waiver programs

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would prevent states from using Medicaid waiver programs to expand abortion coverage beyond existing Hyde Amendment restrictions. Some states have sought waivers to cover abortion services or related expenses for low-income residents. The bill codifies restrictions on such experimental programs while maintaining traditional exceptions. This represents a federal constraint on state flexibility in designing Medicaid coverage, particularly affecting states with abortion-protective policies.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Abortion

Child health

Medicaid

Poverty and welfare assistance

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

719, 119th Congress (2025). "No Abortion Coverage for Medicaid Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-719