The United States government announced this Monday (22) a rule to protect medical information about women who have had legal abortions, so that it cannot be used in investigations.
The rule aims to protect women who live in one of the states where abortion is prohibited and who have traveled to another where the procedure is legal.
“When this woman returns home, her medical information will be protected,” assured Melanie Fontes Rainer, director of the civil rights office at the United States Department of Health.
This rule “should help people feel safer when seeking assistance” and clarifies the rules for medical establishments and health insurance, added the director.
Since the United States Supreme Court, remodeled by former Republican President Donald Trump, annulled federal protection of the right to abortion in 2022, around 20 states have banned or restricted access to voluntary termination of pregnancy.
“Women were forced to travel hundreds of kilometers to get an abortion, and doctors and nurses were threatened with arrest for providing the care they studied for”, reported today Jennifer Klein, President Biden’s advisor on this topic.
Now, women may be hesitant to have an abortion, even in states where the procedure is still legal, “for fear that their data will be tracked and shared with state agencies, law enforcement or others,” said Melanie Fontes Rainer.
The director highlighted that the new standard protects any legally practiced “reproductive health” act, including pregnancy tests and ectopic pregnancy treatments.
Melanie urged women to report any violation of their right to privacy.
2024-04-22 23:16:53