Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra says Friday’s Supreme Court decision was despicable, but also predictable. During a press conference, he discussed several actions being taken by the agency.
First, they are taking steps to increase access to medication abortion. Second, he’s directing the Office for Civil Rights within HHS to ensure patient privacy and non-discrimination for patients seeking reproductive healthcare and providers offering care. Third, he’s directing the department to examine its authority under the Emergency Medical Treatment Act to ensure clinical judgment of doctors in hospitals is supported. Fourth, he’s directing all agencies within HHS to work to ensure that all providers have appropriate training and resources to handle family planning needs. And lastly, he’s directing Medicare and Medicaid services to take every legal step to protect family planning, including emergency contraceptives and long-acting reversible contraceptives.
Click ▶️ to listen to AURN Washington Correspondent Ebony McMorris’s report:
