President Biden plans to sign an executive order on Wednesday aimed at helping Americans cross state lines for abortions, according to the White House. It is the second order aimed at preserving access to abortion after the Roe v. Wade decision.
However, both orders lack details, instead directing the Department of Health and Human Services to sort out how the policy works. Last month, the president signed an order aimed at ensuring access to abortion drugs and emergency contraception.
Wednesday’s order calls on the department’s secretary, Xavier Becerra, to “consider actions to facilitate access” to abortion, including through Medicaid, for those traveling out of state. . said in a news releaseIt also calls on Becerra to “consider all appropriate actions” to ensure that health care providers comply with federal antidiscrimination laws and to promote maternal health research.
The order came after Kansas voters overwhelmingly rejected an amendment to remove abortion rights from the state constitution on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, the Biden administration sued Idaho. The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit over a draconian new law barring emergency room doctors from performing essential abortions on women facing medical emergencies.
