Biden to Sign Executive Order Directing Medicaid to Pay for Women to Travel Out of State to Get Abortions

The administration has also taken immediate action to:

• Protect Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services: The President issued an Executive Order outlining actions to safeguard access to reproductive health care services, including abortion and contraception; protect the privacy of patients and their access to accurate information; promote the safety and security of patients, providers, and clinics; and coordinate the implementation of Federal efforts.
• Defend the Right to Travel: On 6/24/22, President Biden reaffirmed the Attorney General's statement that women must remain free to travel safely to another state to seek the care they need. President Biden committed his administration to defending "that bedrock right."
• Protect Emergency Medical Care: DOJ filed a lawsuit seeking to enjoin Idaho's abortion prohibition to the extent that it makes abortion a crime even when necessary to prevent serious risks to the health of pregnant patients. This litigation follows guidance issued by HHS affirming EMTALA's requirements, as well as a letter from Secretary Becerra to providers making clear that federal law preempts state law restricting access to abortion in emergency situations, and a proposed rule to strengthen nondiscrimination in health care.

Take Action Against Illegal Use and Sharing of Sensitive Data

• The FTC urged companies to consider that sensitive data is protected by numerous state and federal laws, claims that data is "anonymous" are often deceptive, and the FTC has a track record cracking down on companies that misuse consumer data
• Protect Patient Privacy under HIPAA
• HHS issued guidance to address how the HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of individuals' protected health information, including information related to reproductive health care

Launch a DOJ Reproductive Rights Task Force

• DOJ to monitor and evaluate state and local actions that infringe on federal protections relating to the provision or pursuit of reproductive care
• Convene attorneys to defend reproductive rights
• Provide access to accurate information and legal resources
• HHS launched ReproductiveRights.gov
• The DOJ launched justice.gov

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