New HHS task force to facilitate access to reproductive healthcare
The task force's primary goal is to protect and bolster sexual and reproductive health, including the right to safe and legal abortion care.
Photo: Luis Alvarez/Getty Images
In anticipation of a Supreme Court decision that could drastically alter the landscape for abortion access in the U.S., Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced last week the first-ever HHS Intra-agency Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access, which will include subject matter experts from across the department.
The task force's primary goal is to protect and bolster sexual and reproductive health, including the right to safe and legal abortion care, and will evaluate the impact of what it considers "restrictive laws" in some areas of the country.
HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement that the task force will "advance policies that improve reproductive healthcare access within federal programs and services, eliminate health disparities, and expand access to culturally competent healthcare services for underserved communities, including people of color, people with disabilities, young people, LGBTQI+ people, and others."
HHS Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs Loyce Pace framed the effort as a way to address health inequities and expand access to universal health coverage.
While the creation of the task force will likely find favor among pro-choice Americans, others remain fervently opposed to abortion. Over the weekend, the annual Texas Rally for Life march was held at the state capitol in Austin, drawing protesters and pro-life advocates who wish to see Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision establishing the legality of abortion services, abolished, according to CBS Austin.
Elsewhere, in Syracuse, New York, about 400 abortion opponents braved sub-zero temperatures for the 49th annual March for Life rally, many carrying signs denouncing abortion, according to Syracuse.com.
However, the Biden Administration has affirmed its pro-choice stance through this and other HHS actions.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
HHS, under Biden's regime, has taken a number of steps meant to strengthen access to reproductive services. For instance, HHS issued a new final rule for Title X, the nation's family planning program, to ensure access to affordable family planning services.
It also announced $6.6 million through Title X to address the demand for family planning services where restrictive laws and policies have impacted reproductive health access, or in states where there is a lack of or limited Title X access. In addition, the agency advanced its maternal health priorities, including expanding access to postpartum Medicaid coverage, rural healthcare services, and implicit bias training.
On top of that, HHS has issued guidance on both nondiscrimination requirements of the Church Amendments protecting healthcare providers through its Office for Civil Rights, and providers' legal obligations and protections under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to provide medical treatment to a pregnant patient who presents to the emergency department regardless of conflicting state laws or mandates that might seek to prevent such treatment.
THE LARGER TREND
The Supreme Court, consisting of a conservative majority after three appointments by former President Donald Trump, has signaled its possible opposition to abortion services. A year ago, the court granted the Trump administration's request to reinstate in-person abortion-medication requirements during the pandemic. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations require mifepristone, which is used in medication abortion, to be dispensed at a clinic, hospital or medical office.
The makeup of the Supreme Court shifted significantly following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020. Ginsburg, a strong supporter of abortion rights, was replaced by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
There is currently a 6-3 balance between justices appointed by a Republican president and those appointed by a Democratic president.
A challenge to Roe v. Wade has been the expected outcome of the shift to a more conservative court.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com
