Health secretary outlines plan for health services following Roe v. Wade decision
The Biden administration is outlining an action plan in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Several states are already implementing trigger laws to limit abortion, while other states are expanding those services.
Whether you have private or public health coverage like Medicaid, Health and Human Services officials say most health insurance companies will cover birth control and preventative services for free.
Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said Tuesday that the main focus of this action plan is awareness.
He said the department wants to make sure people know their rights to medical privacy, what kind of access they have to abortion medication, and if needed, abortion services.
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“We will certainly assert and defend our legal authorities. we will certainly enforce federal law. We will absolutely protect Americans’ rights to care under federal law and we will do everything we can to make sure Americans understand what their rights are,” said Becerra. “What exactly that translates into depends on what a state tries to do.”
Meanwhile, some anti-abortion activists say some states are pushing abortion as the only option.
Kristin Turner, executive director for Pro-Life San Francisco, said anti-abortion activists want to see more resources for women who experience unplanned pregnancies.
“The job of activists in the pro-life movement is to make sure we are creating safe and sustainable communities and coming around people and getting them the resources they need. So they can have the baby, have their dreams, have their job, have their schooling. I don’t think we should have to choose between our career and our children,” said Turner with Pro-Life San Francisco.
Biden administration officials said they are also working to make sure medical providers and pharmacies have resources for family planning needs.
