The Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (HR 4691), passed by a vote of 229 to 189, would protect the "conscience rights" of those who choose not to cover, pay for, or otherwise participate in abortions.

Federal law already prohibits government discrimination against "health care entities" for refusing to provide or require abortion training, or refusing to perform or provide referrals for abortions.

But the 1996 law defines a "health care entity" only as "an individual physician, a postgraduate physician training program, and a participant in a program of training in the health professions." Courts have ruled that hospitals and health insurance plans may be forced to provide or pay for ...