The federal government allows its employees to participate in a number of health care plans. Two issues have arisen in regard to these plans: providing coverage for abortion, and conscience protection in the mandated provision of morally objectionable services.

Beginning in the 1980s, efforts were made to limit coverage for abortion under the plans. These efforts have been successful except for the early to mid-90s.

Since the late 1990s, abortion proponents have sought to require the plans to provide coverage for prescription contraceptives, which can have both contraceptive and abortifacient effects. Providing conscience protection in these matters for institutions and individuals has been hotly contested. Also see: Conscience Protection.