The Trump administration will withhold $ 200 million in Medicaid funding in California in the first quarter of 2021 over the state mandate that health insurance Providers include coverage for elective abortion, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced Wednesday.
Additional funding of $ 200 million will be withheld for each quarter in which the state continues with this policy, Azar said, without acknowledging that the Trump administration ends Jan. 20. The HHS Office of Civil Rights had previously issued a notice of rape in California. for his demand that all insurance plans cover elective abortions and threatened to reduce funding. The Trump administration argues that California does not have the constitutional right to demand this requirement.
Azar made the announcement during a White House event celebrating the Trump administration’s task of fighting abortion. The Medicaid funds in question help pay for health coverage for low-income people, people with disabilities, and some older adults.
“We are taking enforcement action against the state of California to impose universal abortion coverage mandates on health insurance in the state,” Azar told a charity hearing. “We have reported in California that this policy clearly violates federal laws of conscience, but the state refuses to fix the problem and comply. As a result, we plan to withhold $ 200 million in federal state Medicaid funds. in the first quarter of 2021. And unless California modifies the problem, we will try to retain an additional $ 200 million each quarter until it meets. “
CBS News has contacted the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom to comment.
Azar also announced that the Justice Department is suing a Vermont hospital, according to the Trump administration, which required a Catholic nurse to assist in an abortion procedure even though she had previously stated her objections to the procedure and there were others nurses available.
During the White House event on Wednesday, Pence reflected on the “great progress we have made for life.” President Trump, who was also in the White House, did not attend the event.
“I wholeheartedly believe that everyone in this room, along with our president, has made a difference for life,” Pence said. “So today we really come together to reflect on the great progress we have made for life under President Donald Trump and with all your collective support. But also to thank all of you. And to urge -you, as we promise to never stop fighting for the cause of life. “