The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced health insurance pools can not cover abortions.
   
However, the program still makes an exception in cases of rape, incest, or the health of the mother.

For more on the significance of the HHS's decision, click play for comments from Anna Franzonello, staff counsel with the Americans United for Life.

The Health department changed course after public outrage over recent decisions by the states of New Mexico and Pennsylvania to use federal taxpayer money for abortions.

Douglas Johnson, legislative director for National Right to Life, an anti-abortion group, acknowledged the Health Department's decision represented a victory for pro-lifers.

"If they now do what they say they are going to do, that would be good," Johnson said of the Obama administration. "But in our view they are doing it because the spotlight has been put on them and we blew the whistle."

Meanwhile, the abortion battle, which is centered on the president's health care law, is far from over. 

Beginning in 2014, federally subsidized health insurance plans can cover abortions, if policy holders pay for coverage separately.