Planned Parenthood, abortion issues cause new political skirmishes, policy actions

Among the recent news developments are reports that a House panel will vote on a plan to prevent use of the health law's tax credits to provide or pay for insurance that covers abortion. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood continues to be embroiled in a funding debate.

The Associated Press: House GOP Wants To Use Tax Code To Curb Abortions
The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to vote on a bill Thursday that would prevent taxpayers from deducting the cost of an abortion from their taxable income. It would also prevent small businesses and taxpayers from using tax credits in the new health care law to provide or pay for insurance policies that cover the procedure (3/31).

The Washington Post: Planned Parenthood Challenged On Purported Mammogram Claim
A conservative activist group seeking to discredit the Planned Parenthood Federation of America released audio tapes Wednesday that it said contradicts claims the organization made that it provides mammograms (Stein, 3/30).

Politico: Family Planner Lauds White House
After taking flak from Planned Parenthood during the health care debate last year, President Barack Obama has returned to its good graces, garnering praise from a group whose federal funding is at stake in the heated budget debate with Republicans on Capitol Hill (Lee, 3/31).