Trump Administration Probes States Abortion Coverage

The Donald Trump administration has launched investigations into 13 states that mandate health insurance plans to cover abortion. This action stems from a dispute over the interpretation of the Weldon Amendment, a provision in federal spending laws that bars states from discriminating against health entities that do not provide, cover, or refer for abortion. The United States — United States Department of Health and Human Services' civil rights office, under the Donald Trump administration, asserts that states with abortion coverage requirements may be in violation of this law by not allowing employers or healthcare issuers to opt out. This contrasts with the Joe Biden administration's interpretation, which held that the amendment did not apply to employers or healthcare sponsors. The states under investigation include United States — California, United States — Colorado, United States — Delaware, United States — Illinois, United States — Maine, United States — Maryland, United States — Massachusetts State Police, United States — Minnesota, United States — New Jersey, United States — New York, United States — Oregon, United States — Vermont, and United States — Washington (state). Governor Mikie Sherrill of United States — New Jersey has vowed to defend her state's policies. This move is seen by some as a fulfillment of promises to the religious right, echoing a previous attempt by the Donald Trump administration in 2020 to withhold federal healthcare funding from United States — California over a similar issue, which was later reversed by the Joe Biden administration.