A group of centrist House Republicans are squaring off with GOP conservatives on a sensitive issue touching on abortion.

The centrists have asked President Bush to rebuff social conservatives who want to cut federal funding for family planning groups and hospitals that counsel on abortion.

The centrists have confronted Bush at a time when Republicans blame the president for the GOP’s low approval rating.

“We read with interest in a recent Hill article that a number of advocacy organizations have urged you to modify Title X regulations,” the group of House Republicans, led by Rep. Mark Kirk (Ill.), wrote in a letter to Bush. “Changing the long-upheld regulations in a way that would restrict access to basic healthcare would be detrimental for many Americans.”

The Hill reported in early May that leading conservative advocacy groups had sent Bush a letter to reinstitute Reagan-era regulations that would strip federal funding for groups counseling patients on abortion.

But leading conservatives in the House are pressing Bush to cut funding to abortion counselors.

“I am hopeful that President Bush will follow both President Reagan and his father’s presidency and ensure the non-abortion funding that flows to family planning through Title X does not indirectly support abortion referral or abortion services,” said Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), who has discussed the issue with Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt.

Kirk said in an interview that administration officials are seriously considering implementing the controversial regulations.

Abortion-rights proponents call the contemplated regulations a “gag rule” because they would prohibit doctors and nurses who receive federal funds from discussing medical options with patients.

Kirk said if the regulations took effect, “it would mean that a number of doctors, nurses and hospitals that operate under [American Medical Association] guidelines to inform a patient of all their options won’t be able to do so if they accept federal funds.”

Reagan implemented the regulations more than 20 years ago, which the Supreme Court upheld in 1991. Former President Bill Clinton rescinded them shortly after taking office.

Conservatives expected Bush immediately to reinstate the counseling ban, but more than seven years have passed without action.

“We respectfully ask that you make the necessary changes to the Title X regulations, so that U.S. taxpayers’ funds are not used to promote and facilitate abortion,” leading conservative activists wrote in a May letter to Bush. “Collocation of family planning and abortion facilities sends the wrong message, defies congressional intent and should not be allowed.”

Leading social conservatives are perplexed over why Bush has allowed Clinton’s rules to remain in place. Bush officials insisted on waiting for what they considered an appropriate time to take action, said one activist.

Activists following the issue expect Bush to make a decision in the next week because White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolton informed federal agencies they must propose new regulations by June 1.

 “I think there’s a tremendous danger because we’re aware of the work that’s been done to put them in place,” said Mary Jane Gallagher, president of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association.  

It is the policy of White House officials not to comment on regulations before they are proposed formally.   

Gallagher said that the Office of Management and Budget has reviewed proposed regulations and officials at the Department of Health and Human Services have also worked on them.

Title X provides nearly $300 million to family planning groups. New regulations could affect thousands of organizations across the country.

“The impact is significant; family planners serve low-income and uninsured women, many who have no other access to medical care,” Gallagher said.  

By taking action in the last few months of his term, Bush could spare Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who also opposes abortion rights, a fight with conservative activists and Democratic lawmakers if he wins the presidency.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) would overturn any change immediately if either became president, activists predict.

Eleven other House Republicans signed the letter to Bush: Reps. Christopher Shays (Conn.), Kay Granger (Texas), Jim Ramstad (Minn.), Charlie Dent (Pa.), Rodney Frelinghuysen (N.J.), Ralph Regula (Ohio), David Hobson (Ohio), Judy Biggert (Ill.), Mike Castle (Del.), Wayne Gilchrest (Md.) and Deborah Pryce (Ohio).