In 2014, a government investigation found that federal dollars were probably funding elective abortions. In many cases the oversight mechanisms set up to ensure that abortion coverage was paid for separately from federal subsidies were not being followed.
Also, in several states, all health plans on those exchanges included abortion coverage, violating the law that a plan free of abortion coverage be offered to those who could not pay conscientiously for coverage that included abortions.
In his 100 days agenda, Trump also claimed he would undo "every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama."
Whether this would include the repeal of any pro-abortion executive actions – like Obama's undoing of conscience protections for health care workers or his repeal of the Mexico City policy – is unclear.
Regarding the appointment of a Supreme Court justice, Trump has in the past promised to appoint a pro-life justice, although in the final presidential debate he would not say if he wanted the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling which decided a woman's right to an abortion.
Yet pro-life groups remain optimistic for the near future.
On the day after the recent presidential election, Dannenfelser called Trump and his pro-life running mate Mike Pence's victory "an historic moment for the pro-life movement."
"We are poised to make the biggest executive, legislative, and judicial advances for the protection of unborn children and their mothers since Roe v. Wade was decided," she said Nov. 9, noting the goals of "ending painful late-term abortions, codifying the Hyde Amendment, defunding Planned Parenthood, and appointing pro-life Supreme Court Justices."
"Donald Trump has committed to every single one of these goals," she said.
McClusky maintained that "It is too early to tell exactly how this will all turn out, but there is great hope amidst the pro-life community for the future. And in the meantime, we will continue to watch the other nominations closely, especially to Secretary of State and HHS."
Matt Hadro was the political editor at Catholic News Agency through October 2021. He previously worked as CNA senior D.C. correspondent and as a press secretary for U.S. Congressman Chris Smith.