Washington D.C., Jul 15, 2010 / 17:07 pm
Press inquiries and pressure from pro-life groups appear to have caused a federally funded New Mexico health insurance program to drop elective abortion from its list of covered procedures.
The New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool (NMNIP), an effort of the Obama Administration's recent health care overhaul, was the subject of media inquiry and intense criticism by pro-life groups as it previously covered elective abortions using federal funds.
The state's insurance pool program for high-risk patients is part of a $5 billion federal funding program set up under the Affordable Health Care Act that was signed into law last March.
On its website, NMNIP had previously linked to a document explaining the “Federal High Risk Pool Summary of Benefits.” On the second page, under the heading, “Covered Services,” elective abortion was listed.