HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra addressed big payers about abortion rights this week and said May 4 that the federal agency plans to "double down" to ensure women can continue accessing abortion services nationwide.
"The Department of Health and Human Services is not in the business of stripping Americans of access and protections to care. So at HHS, we will double down on our authorities to protect every American's right and access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion," Mr. Becerra said.
During a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee hearing on HHS' upcoming fiscal year budget, Mr. Becerra was pressed by lawmakers about what the agency is doing to ensure access to reproductive healthcare.
The comments come after Politico reported May 3 on a leaked draft ruling suggesting the Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade.
"I yesterday had an opportunity to address a number of representatives of many of the insurance plans, health insurance plans in America, and made it very clear that we intend to continue to enforce the law," Mr. Becerra said. "We have heard complaints that some women are not being provided with access to the care that they are entitled to through their insurance plan."
"We will also make it clear what the law requires of anyone who accepts federal funding through Medicare, Medicaid to provide services to all Americans without discrimination," Mr. Becerra said.