Biden Admin. Considers Declaring a ‘National Emergency’ Protecting Abortion
Michael Foust
| ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor
|Friday, February 3, 2023
The Biden administration is examining the statement of a “nationwide emergency situation” on abortion that would broaden access to the treatment nationwide, even in states where it presently deals with extreme constraints, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services stated today.
Asked byAxios about a possible statement, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated Monday there has actually not been a “complete evaluation” of a statement which the subject is still in an “examination” phase.
“There are specific requirements that you search for to be able to state a public health emergency situation,” Becerra stated. “That’s normally done by researchers and those that are specialists in those fields who will inform us whether we remain in a state of emergency situation, and based upon that, I have the capability to make a statement.”
More than 80 members of Congress composed Biden in 2015 prompting him to release a nationwide emergency situation statement under the so-called “Stafford Act” and a Public Health Emergency statement on abortion gain access to under the general public Health Service Act and the general public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act. The letter was sent out to Biden in the wake of the Supreme Court reversing Roe v. Wade.
“As we have actually experienced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a public health emergency situation statement can supply considerable brand-new authority and versatility for a federal emergency situation action,” the 2022 letter stated. “Relevant activities might consist of however are not restricted to Public Health Services Corps group implementations, Medicaid State Plan Amendment versatilities to support safe-haven states, and the capability to speed up access to brand-new medications licensed for abortion. We respectfully advise you to rapidly provide a National Emergency and Public Health Emergency statement and utilize your authority under the PREP Act to safeguard abortion gain access to.”
Image courtesy: © Getty Images/Rawf8
Michael Foust has actually covered the crossway of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have actually appeared in Baptist Press,Christianity Today The Christian Post theLeaf-Chroniclethe Toronto Star andthe Knoxville News-Sentinel