Bush Acts to Cover 'unborn Children' With Government Health Care
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration said Friday it will consider fetuses "unborn children" under a government-funded health program, brushing aside complaints that the move is an effort to undercut abortion rights.
The administration said it is making the change to enable more low-income pregnant women to obtain prenatal care. Under the new rule, states could extend health insurance to fetuses - or even embryos - from the moment of conception by enrolling them in the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
The debate will now shift to states, which must decide whether to add fetuses to their programs. Both sides of the debate predicted battles ahead.
Because CHIP, as the program is known, is aimed at children, it does not typically cover parents or pregnant women, although states can get permission to include adults if they request it. Under these new rules, it will be a routine...