U.S. Curbs Coverage for Abortion Pill

Poor women whose abortions would not be covered by Medicaid also are ineligible for government reimbursement for the abortion pill RU-486, the federal government has notified states.

The Health and Human Services Department told state Medicaid directors in a letter that RU-486, like abortions, will only be covered when a pregnancy results from rape or incest or when a woman’s life is in jeopardy.

“Because this is an abortion drug, the same restrictions have to apply to it,” department spokesman Campbell Gardett said. “This is just taking the law and applying it as we’re required to do.”

RU-486, marketed as mifepristone, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in September after years of debate. HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has said he would order a review of that decision.