H.R.2779 - Abortion Funding Awareness Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2779, the Abortion Funding Awareness Act of 2025, mandates that states report specific information on Medicaid payments made to abortion providers. This includes the amount, purpose, and comparison to prior payments, as well as the number, gestational age, and method of abortions performed. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is then required to compile these reports and submit them to Congress and publish them on a public website.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to increase transparency regarding the use of federal Medicaid funds for abortion services. This increased transparency could influence public opinion and potentially lead to changes in state or federal policies regarding abortion funding. States will face new reporting requirements, potentially increasing administrative burdens.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the allocation of Medicaid funds related to abortion services.
- Provides data for informed policy discussions regarding abortion funding.
- Allows for better oversight of how federal funds are being utilized by states.
- Could potentially lead to more efficient allocation of healthcare resources.
- Provides the public with information to hold elected officials accountable.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May create an administrative burden for states to collect and report the required data.
- Could potentially stigmatize abortion providers and individuals seeking abortion services.
- May lead to increased political polarization surrounding the issue of abortion.
- The reporting requirements could be seen as an attempt to restrict access to abortion services.
- Potential for misuse of data to target abortion providers or patients.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is complex. Congress has broad authority to regulate interstate commerce and spending under Article I, Section 8. However, the bill could be challenged on privacy grounds or as an undue burden on a woman's right to choose, potentially conflicting with interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment. The reporting requirements themselves do not directly infringe on any enumerated constitutional right, but the potential chilling effect on abortion access could raise concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).