President Biden Signs Executive Order on Contraception and Abortion
June 23, 2023 / 8:01 p.m.
One day before the historic anniversary of the landmark ruling Roe v. Wade, which established abortion as a constitutional “right,” President Joe Biden has taken action by signing an executive order to expand access to all contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including those that can induce abortions.
The executive order, aimed at increasing access to and reducing the cost of over-the-counter contraceptives for veterans and students, was signed on the eve of the first anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which marked a turning point in the abortion debate and allowed individual states to regulate abortion according to their own laws.
A press release from the White House states: “Contraception is a crucial aspect of reproductive healthcare that has become even more significant in the aftermath of Dobbs and the subsequent crisis in women’s access to medical care.”
The document instructs three agencies to develop guidelines ensuring that private health insurance companies cover all FDA-approved contraceptives without cost sharing. It also mandates the streamlining of the process for women seeking these products.
Furthermore, the document calls for actions to expand access to over-the-counter contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives that can induce abortion.
The executive order also emphasizes the need to enhance access to contraceptives for veterans, federal workers, private employees, and students through healthcare plans.
President Biden, the second Catholic president of the United States, has signed multiple executive orders aimed at expanding access to abortion and contraception, including drugs that induce abortion.
The administration has also defended the use of mifepristone, a drug that can terminate a pregnancy as late as 10 weeks, amidst a federal lawsuit.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms “the moral evil of all direct abortion” and considers the use of contraceptives as an “intrinsically disordered” action.
“This will be the third executive order on access to reproductive healthcare signed by the president since the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and the first one specifically focused on protecting and expanding access to contraception,” the White House statement read.
A previous executive order urged agencies to consider actions that would increase access to abortion, and the president has collaborated with state leaders to expand access to the procedure.
The Department of Veterans Affairs under the Biden administration has also revised its policies to broaden abortion access for veterans and their family members.
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Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally posted on CNAs.
Elop a strategy within 120 days to increase access to and lower the cost of over-the-counter contraceptives for veterans and students. The order also calls for expanding insurance coverage for contraceptives and instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to consider rolling back the Trump-era rules that allowed employers with religious or moral objections to opt out of providing birth control coverage in their employee health insurance plans.
This executive order is seen as a significant move by President Biden to uphold and expand reproductive rights, particularly in light of the Dobbs decision, which has raised concerns about the future of abortion access in the United States. It aligns with his campaign promise to protect and expand access to contraception and abortion services.
Proponents of the executive order argue that increasing access to contraceptives is crucial for women’s health and well-being and helps prevent unintended pregnancies. Critics, however, express concerns about the inclusion of contraceptives that can induce abortions, arguing that it goes against their religious or moral beliefs. The executive order is likely to face legal challenges and further intensify the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights in the country.
How will the Department of Health and Human Services roll back Trump-era rules that allowed employers to opt out of providing birth control coverage in their employee health insurance plans?
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to roll back the Trump-era rules that allowed employers to opt out of providing birth control coverage in their employee health insurance plans by taking the following steps:
1. Withdrawal of the Trump-era rules: HHS will initiate the process of withdrawing the existing rules that allowed employers to claim religious or moral objections to providing birth control coverage for their employees.
2. Publish notice of proposed rulemaking: HHS will publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register. This will provide information about the intent to revise or eliminate the previous regulations and give an opportunity for public comments.
3. Consideration of public feedback: HHS will review and consider public comments on the proposed rule, which could range from advocacy groups, healthcare providers, employers, and individuals affected by the change.
4. Development of new regulations: Based on the public feedback received, HHS will develop new regulations that require employer health insurance plans to cover birth control without exemptions for religious or moral objections.
5. Publication of final rule: After completing the rulemaking process, HHS will publish a final rule that outlines the revised requirements for employers to provide birth control coverage in their employee health insurance plans.
It is important to note that the specific timeline and details of this process will depend on the actions taken by the HHS and the outcome of the public comment period.
I applaud President Biden’s decision to prioritize women’s reproductive rights by signing this executive order. Expanding access to contraception and abortion is crucial in ensuring women’s autonomy and reproductive health. This action signifies the administration’s commitment to upholding and protecting women’s rights.