Sebelius: No funding for abortions

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says Republicans are trying to confuse Americans about the government's role in providing abortions.

In an interview with The Hill, Sebelius said no president's administration has funded abortions since the Hyde Amendment passed more that 30 years ago.

"There is no taxpayer funding for abortion," Sebelius said Friday. "Not at community health centers, not as part of the new bill, not as any part of any services that we deliver."

Anti-abortion advocates raised concerns that language in the Obama administration's healthcare reform law might allow loopholes for some abortions.

"Clearly, there's an awful lot of doubt about where the administration really is on this issue," said House Speaker John Boehner said during a Thursday press conference.

Boehner, R-Ohio, and members of the Pro-Life Caucus announced two bills Thursday to strengthen prohibitions against abortion.

"The law already prohibits federal funding for abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman is endangered," an administration official told The Hill.

"The Affordable Care Act maintains that policy. Like Wednesday's vote, this effort is about politics, not substance. The American people are going to start to wonder why the new House najority is spending its time on stunts rather than working with us to create jobs and grow the economy."