# Summary of H.R. 8855
This bill would make abortion a federal crime and restrict abortion coverage in health insurance plans. Specifically, it would make it a class D felony for licensed physicians to perform or attempt an abortion at any point after fertilization, with narrow exceptions only to save the pregnant woman's life from a physical medical condition (not psychological distress), remove a dead fetus from miscarriage or stillbirth, or remove an ectopic pregnancy. The bill would also prohibit federal health programs—including Medicaid, children's health insurance, Veterans Health Administration, and Indian Health Services—from covering abortions after fertilization with the same limited exceptions. Additionally, it would ban private health insurance plans, including those offered through the Affordable Care Act, from covering abortions except to save the pregnant woman's life from a physical medical emergency. The bill would allow women and parents of minors to sue physicians for civil damages if an abortion was performed without consent or under fraud or duress. These provisions would take effect generally on January 1 of the second year following enactment, and the bill contains no new federal spending beyond what is required to implement these restrictions.
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