The White House's health care proposal is in peril as Republican lawmakers push for the inclusion of stringent abortion restrictions, a demand that has left the administration's strategy under intense scrutiny and Capitol Hill in a state of uncertainty.

For many in the GOP, tightening the reins on abortion via the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is non-negotiable. However, the administration's silence on this front has led to confusion and frustration among Republicans, who were caught off guard by the absence of a clear stance in the newly outlined health care framework. This omission has sparked concerns about whether President Trump will publicly support such restrictions, according to aides who wished to remain anonymous.

At the heart of the contention is the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal funding for abortions and is seen by Republicans as essential to any health care agreement. This issue is compounded by a broader GOP backlash against other aspects of the proposed health policy, which was inadvertently revealed last Sunday.

“No Republican has voted for Obamacare or an extension thereof,” stated a senior Senate Republican aide. “To ask members to support this without including Hyde would be impossible for many.”

The White House has remained tight-lipped, further complicating the legislative process for an ACA subsidy extension. This extension is crucial as it involves not only retaining enhanced subsidies but also implementing conservative-backed measures like income caps and minimum premiums. Yet, the administration has not disclosed whether it supports the GOP’s call to bar federally subsidized insurance plans from covering abortion services.

Gavin Oxley, a spokesperson from Americans United for Life, emphasized the importance of the White House clarifying its position on the Hyde Amendment to guide legislative decisions effectively. "The administration's current ambiguity could fracture the coalition that supported the President’s reelection," Oxley remarked.

Opposition is also strong among House and Senate Republicans and numerous anti-abortion groups, who have been actively lobbying against any subsidy extension that lacks comprehensive abortion coverage bans. According to insiders, this is a "red line" for a broad swath of the party.

Meanwhile, Democrats, essential for overcoming a Senate filibuster, have staunchly opposed any abortion restrictions in the negotiations. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon expressed his frustration, accusing Republicans of holding women’s health care hostage to push a radical agenda.

Amidst these tensions, some speculate that the White House’s decision to sidestep the abortion issue was a strategic move to avoid immediate controversy that could jeopardize the proposal's survival. Yet, this strategy appears to have backfired, spotlighting the administration's reluctance to engage fully with this divisive issue.

“The administration prefers to remain in the backseat regarding abortion if possible,” noted Patrick Brown from the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

As the debate intensifies, the path to a bipartisan agreement remains fraught with challenges, not least because of the deep divisions over subsidy eligibility, the scope of coverage, and the ongoing battle over abortion funding. With the subsidy expiration deadline looming and premiums set to increase dramatically, the pressure is mounting for a resolution that satisfies both parties’ core demands. However, given the current impasse, reaching such an agreement seems increasingly unlikely.

*Benjamin Guggenheim contributed to this report.*