House GOP wants to use tax code to curb abortions

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans are trying to use the tax code to curb abortions by limiting tax breaks for insurance policies that cover the procedure.

The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to vote Thursday on a bill that would prevent taxpayers from deducting the cost of an abortion from their taxable income.

If women pay for an abortion using tax-free income that had been set aside in a heath savings account, the money would have to be reported as taxable income. There would be exceptions for cases of rape or incest, or a threat to the health of the mother.

House GOP leaders support the effort to limit tax breaks that help fund abortions, but the bill faces strong opposition in the Senate.