House Bill Pushes Permanent Ban on Federal Abortion Funding, Hitting Treasure Coast

A House bill referred to three committees in January would permanently bar federal funds from being used to pay for abortions or abortion-related insurance coverage, a measure that could affect Medicaid recipients and federally subsidized health plans across Florida's Treasure Coast.

HR 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025, was referred Jan. 22 to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means. The bill has not yet received a committee hearing date. Public records did not identify the bill's sponsor.

In Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties, the bill's provisions would most directly affect residents who receive health coverage through Medicaid or who purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, both of which involve federal subsidies. St. Lucie County has recorded among the highest Medicaid enrollment rates on the Treasure Coast in recent years, meaning a codified funding prohibition could limit coverage options for lower-income residents in that county more broadly than current annual appropriations riders already do.

The legislation would make permanent the restrictions currently imposed each year through the Hyde Amendment, which Congress has attached to annual appropriations bills since nineteen seventy-six. The bill would also require health insurers offering plans that cover abortion to clearly disclose that fact to enrollees — a transparency provision supporters say is necessary and critics argue is designed to discourage such coverage.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), whose district covers Martin and St. Lucie counties, has historically voted in favor of abortion funding restrictions. His office had not issued a statement on HR 7 as of publication.

The three committees must complete their consideration before the bill can advance to a House floor vote. No markup or hearing dates have been publicly scheduled.

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