House backs abortion restriction tied to health care law

If a federal health exchange is set up in Georgia under federal health care legislation, none of the money could be used for abortions under a bill approved Tuesday by the Georgia House.

Senate Bill 177, which passed 98-63, also would prohibit cost-sharing reduction payments for abortions, including in cases of incest, rape or to save the life of the mother. An attempt by Rep. Rusty Kidd, I-Milledgeville, to table the discussion failed, 67-97.

Supporters argued the measure was needed so no federal tax dollars would be spent on abortions. Opponents called the move a referendum on where lawmakers stand on the issue.