Washington, DC:

On January 22, the Biden administration revealed plans to expand access to surgical abortion, chemical abortion, and contraceptives in a counter-response to anti-abortion states and groups across the United States. This announcement coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The White House stated that extreme state abortion bans have endangered women's health and lives, highlighting the challenges women face in accessing emergency care due to state laws.

The administration's initiative involves new guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), aiming to promote surgical abortion through the EMTLA (Emergency Medical Treatment Act) and other federal regulations. The new guidance includes training healthcare workers, educating patients on federal EMTLA requirements, and simplifying the process of filing complaints against hospitals under the EMTLA.

In addition to expanding abortion access, the administration is also working to promote contraception. The announcement mentioned that the Department of Health and Human Services will notify private insurers, state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs, and Medicare plans of their obligations to cover "affordable contraception." Furthermore, the Office of Personnel Management will issue guidelines requiring insurers in the federal employee health benefits program to inform enrollees about contraception benefits.

The administration also urges federal agencies to clarify that contraceptives approved by the FDA are covered, free of charge, under the current Affordable Care Act. Additionally, the White House announced the convening of the 4th meeting of the Working Group on Reproductive and Contraception to coordinate and promote these efforts.

Simultaneously, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case brought forward by Pro-Life medical groups challenging the FDA's approval and subsequent deregulatory measures for the abortion drug mifepristone. The lawsuit contends that the FDA did not adequately consider the safety risks to women when approving the drug and that the FDA's deregulation, which allowed women to obtain a prescription without a doctor's visit or through the mail, also failed to consider safety risks.

Looking ahead to the 2024 election, Biden's campaign has placed significant emphasis on abortion. Vice President Kamala Harris has launched her "Fight for Reproductive Freedom" tour to urge Congress to legalize abortion nationwide by codifying Roe v. Wade rules. In June 2022, the Supreme Court vacated the decision, leading to over 20 states passing laws that restrict abortion, including over a dozen that prohibit abortion in almost every case.

Harris has also criticized pro-life state legislators and Congress, labeling them "extremists" for their support of abortion restrictions. She has specifically targeted former President Donald Trump for appointing three Supreme Court justices who aimed to overturn Roe.

On January 10, Donald Trump expressed pride in appointing justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, stating, "For 54 years, they've been trying to end Roe v. Wade, and I did it, and I'm proud to do it."

The Biden campaign has released a new television advertisement emphasizing the former president's support for abortion and criticizing him for his role in overturning Roe v. Wade in the US. While Biden is the nation's second Catholic president, his administration's efforts to codify the Roe v. Wade case stand in stark contrast to the position of the USCCB.