The House Appropriations Committee voted to overturn President Bush’s proposal to eliminate contraceptive coverage for federal employees yesterday. Bush’s proposal, which would have eliminated insurance coverage for five types of birth control, was praised by social conservatives who believe that the government should not take part in making contraceptives available, especially those that induce abortion. However, women’s groups and lawmakers from both parties argued that the provision would not cost the government anything and would, in effect, reduce the number of unintended pregnancies among federal employees.
See "House Panel Rebuffs Bush on Federal Contraceptive Coverage", Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post, July 17, 2001