(RNS) Progressive religious leaders are criticizing the House for passing a health care reform bill that includes an amendment designed to eliminate government funding of abortion.

The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., and Brad Ellsworth, D-Ind., prevents federal funding of abortion in insurance programs created by Democrats through health care reform. It was adopted Saturday (Nov. 7) by a vote of 240-194.

“We come together to condemn the passage of the Stupak amendment, which if passed by the Senate will effectively deny coverage for abortion services to women covered by the new federal health care plan,” reads a joint statement from Catholics for Choice, Planned Parenthood Federation of America Clergy Network, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing.

“We are appalled that religious leaders intervened to impose their specific religious doctrine into health care reform, not recognizing that women must have the right to apply or reject the principles of their own faith in making the decision as to whether or not abortion is appropriate in their specific circumstances,” the statement reads.

The U.S. Conference of Catholics Bishops lobbied the House hard to include the anti-abortion amendment.

The amendment was hailed by conservative leaders, including Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who called its passage “a huge pro-life victory for women, their unborn children, and families.” Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, described it as “the only bright spot in an otherwise troubling government-run health care package put forth by House Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi.”