President Joe Bidenhas signed his secondexecutive orderto protect access to reproductive healthcare services in response to the Supreme Court’s decision tooverturnRoe v. Wade.
The executive order, which Biden signed Wednesday during the inaugural meeting of the administration’s recently established Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access, is aimed at making it easier for patients to travel across state lines to receive abortion services.
The order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to “consider action to advance access to reproductive healthcare services,” including allowing the use of Medicaid funds for patients who travel out-of-state for the procedure. If HHS enacts that plan, states could apply for Medicaid waivers when they provide abortions to people from out of state.
It also calls on the HHS to ensure health care providers comply with federal non-discrimination laws when offering services.
Joe Biden.Kevin Dietsch/Getty
Executive orders aresigned directives from the president, which don’t require Congressional approval, that manage operations of the federal government.
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Biden has stated repeatedly that he doesn’t have the authority as president to restore the right to abortion himself.
“The only way we can secure a woman’s right to choose and the balance that existed is for Congress to restore the protections ofRoe v. Wadeas federal law,” he previously explained. “No executive action from the president can do that.”
Biden signed his first executive order related to abortion access in early July.
The order vowed to “ensure the safety of patients, providers, and third parties” who have abortions or provide abortion services.
Additionally, the order called on the HHS to submit a report detailing steps to take that can protect medication abortion, expand access to emergency contraceptives, and increase education about reproductive healthcare services.
“I’m asking the Justice Department that, much like they did in the Civil Rights era, to do everything in their power to protect these women seeking to invoke their rights,” Biden said.
source: people.com
