On May 22, the GOP-controlled U.S. House narrowly passed a spending and tax reform bill that bars Medicaid reimbursements from going to abortion-providing groups like Planned Parenthood.

Backed by Alaska Rep. Nick Begich, the bill needed his vote to pass 215-214. In announcing his vote in support of the bill, Begich focused on the fact that it reduces deficit spending by $1.5 trillion, includes massive tax breaks, increases border security spending and unleashes energy exploration.

“Last year, voters gave Republicans a clear mandate: cut reckless spending, secure the border, and grow our economy – and we delivered,” he posted to social media. “This bill is a game-changer for working families and small businesses in Alaska and across America.”

Pro-life advocates, however, are focused on the fact that the bill specifically prohibits the use of Medicaid federal funds from benefiting groups that do abortions.

Alaska is not likely to see much impact from the bill in terms of abortion funding, as Alaska uses state money – not federal – to underwrite abortions through its Medicaid program. Nevertheless, Alaska abortion clinics may see a drop in overall federal funding for other services they provide, which would impact their overall operations.

Alaska Director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Rose O’Hara-Jolley issued a scathing call to action in the lead up to the bill’s passage in the U.S. House.

Congress is once again coming for our health care, this time by gutting Medicaid and blocking access to care at Planned Parenthood,” she warned. “Their latest attack would strip Medicaid funding from providers like Planned Parenthood, cutting off essential health services like STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, birth control, and wellness exams for millions – especially in rural and underserved communities like ours in Alaska.”

In reality, Planned Parenthood is the nation’s top abortion business, killing nearly 400,000 unborn babies in 2023 alone. That year the abortion behemoth raked in nearly $700 million in Medicaid reimbursements, which amounted to about 40% of its revenue.

The newly passed bill still has a way to go before becoming law. It contains a whole host of President Trump’s legislative agenda, but must pass by a simple majority in the U.S. Senate, which could modify the bill.

It includes conservative priorities, such as limitation on benefits to illegal immigrants and the exclusion of Medicaid funds for the so-called “gender transitions” of minor children.

While the pro-life language in the bill have drawn praise from many pro-life groups, American Life League national director Katie Brown Xavios warns that it still funds abortions in the cases of rape, incest and life of the mother.

“Give Planned Parenthood an inch, and it will take a mile,” she cautioned. “If the exceptions are the only way Planned Parenthood will get paid, you better believe that every abortion will now become a life-or-death situation so that Planned Parenthood ensures that it will get its money.”

Not all fiscal conservatives are happy with the bill either, noting that it will add an estimated $5 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.

TAKING ACTION

The bill is now in the U.S. Senate where it needs 51 votes to make it to President Trump’s desk.

— Click here to contact Sen. Dan Sullivan.

— Click here to contact Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Click here to support Alaska Watchman reporting.