With time running out on the Bush administration, conservative activists are renewing a drive for regulations that would deny federal subsidies to clinics that provide abortions or counsel women about the option...

The federal government distributes about $280 million a year among thousands of clinics to subsidize the cost of birth control, cancer screening, HIV testing and other reproductive care for low-income patients. Known as Title X, the program serves five million men and women a year. By law, the money can't be used for abortion procedures.

But about one-third of Title X patients receive their care at reproductive-health clinics run by Planned Parenthood, which is also the nation's largest abortion provider. Critics say the federal grants indirectly subsidize Planned Parenthood's abortion services by keeping a steady stream of money flowing into the clinics.

Two decades ago, President Reagan imposed rules barring clinics that receive Title X money from performing abortions or referring patients to abortion clinics. Opponents filed suit, and the regulations were put on hold for years as the court battle played out. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually upheld the regulations -- but a year and a half later, President Clinton took office and rescinded them...

Activists also are trying to rouse support for a bill to be introduced this summer by Rep. Mike Pence, Republican of Indiana. Mr. Pence -- who says he is "befuddled" by Mr. Bush's inaction on this issue -- would like to strip all Title X funding from Planned Parenthood.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America relies on government grants and contracts, including Title X, for roughly a third of its nearly $337 million budget, according to its most recent financial report. A spokeswoman for the nonprofit group declined to speculate on the effect of new Title X restrictions, beyond expressing concern for patients.