Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

HHS.gov
  • About HHS
  • Programs & Services
  • Grants & Contracts
  • Laws & Regulations

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. News
  4. Statement by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on President Biden’s Executive Order to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care
  • News
  • Blog
  • HHS Live
  • Podcasts
  • Media Guidelines for HHS Employees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2022
Contact: HHS Press Office
202-690-6343
media@hhs.gov

Statement by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on President Biden’s Executive Order to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care

Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the following statement on President Biden’s executive order to protect access to reproductive health care: 

“I share President Biden’s unwavering commitment to protecting access to reproductive health care, including abortion care – no matter who you are or where you live. At his direction, HHS initiated concrete action to protect access to these critical health care services, as well as the privacy and legal rights of patients and providers. As President Biden reiterated today, we are working closely with the Attorney General and other federal partners to ensure patients and providers have the information, support, and care they need.” 

Last week, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Secretary Becerra announced HHS’s action plan to protect access to reproductive health care, which includes five priorities:

  1. increasing access to medication abortion;
  2. protecting patients and providers from discrimination, and ensuring privacy for patients and providers;
  3. protecting emergency abortion care;
  4. ensuring providers have family planning training and resources; and
  5. strengthening family planning care, including emergency contraception.

Since the plan was announced, HHS has taken the following actions:

  • Launched the ReproductiveRights.gov public awareness website, which includes a know-your-rights patient fact sheet;
  • Convened a meeting with health insurers, and sent them a letter, calling on the industry to commit to meeting their obligations to provide coverage for contraceptive services at no cost as required by the Affordable Care Act; 
  • Issued guidance to patients and providers that addresses the extent to which federal law and regulations protect individuals’ private medical information when it comes to seeking abortion and other forms of reproductive health care, as well as when it comes to using health information apps on smartphones; and
  • Announced nearly $3 million in new funding to bolster training and technical assistance for the nationwide network of Title X family planning providers. 

HHS will take additional actions in the coming days.

HHS is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information about access to and coverage of reproductive health care and resources. The Department’s goal is to make sure patients and providers have appropriate information and support. Visit ReproductiveRights.gov to learn more about the care available to patients, and their right to that care.

###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.
Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.
Last revised: July 8, 2022

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up

Subscribe to RSS

Receive latest updates

Subscribe to our RSS

Related News Releases

  • 美國衛生與公眾服務部發布為英語能力有限者增加語言使用服務的報告

  • 美国卫生与公众服务部发布有关为英语水平有限人群增加语言协助服务的报告

  • HHS Office for Civil Rights Settles HIPAA Investigation with Arkansas Business Associate MedEvolve Following Unlawful Disclosure of Protected Health Information on an Unsecured Server for $350,000

Related Blog Posts

  • HHS Blog thumbnail

    Improving the Cybersecurity Posture of Healthcare in 2022

Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.

Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
Content last reviewed July 8, 2022
Back to top
  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Viewers & Players
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​