Questions arise over abortion in new federal health plan

WASHINGTON - Abortion opponents are raising questions about a critical new insurance program under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law.

Federal officials say elective abortion is barred under the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. It offers coverage to people turned down by private insurers because of medical problems, at rates comparable to what the healthy pay.

But at least one state -- New Mexico -- initially listed elective abortion as a covered benefit, reversing course after The Associated Press inquired on Wednesday.

National Right to Life and other abortion opponents say rules for the program have not been spelled out, and federal officials say they're now writing guidelines to clear up the doubts.