H.R.78 - Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.78, the "Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act of 2025," aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit certain abortion procedures. The bill introduces requirements for physicians performing abortions, including having admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and notifying patients of follow-up care options. It also sets conditions for abortion clinics to receive federal funds, such as state licensing and compliance with ambulatory surgery center standards.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would likely reduce the availability of abortion services due to stricter regulations on physicians and clinics. This could lead to increased costs for abortion procedures and potentially impact women's access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas. The bill could also face legal challenges based on constitutional grounds related to privacy and reproductive rights.
Potential Benefits
- Could potentially reduce complications from abortions by ensuring physicians have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
- May improve the quality of care at abortion clinics by requiring them to meet ambulatory surgery center standards.
- Could provide patients with more information about follow-up care options.
- Supporters believe it protects the health and safety of pregnant women.
- Aims to reduce abortions by making them more difficult to obtain.
Potential Disadvantages
- May limit access to abortion services, especially for women in rural areas or with limited financial resources.
- Could increase the cost of abortion procedures due to the added requirements for physicians and clinics.
- May face legal challenges based on constitutional rights to privacy and reproductive freedom.
- Could disproportionately affect low-income women and women of color.
- Opponents argue it infringes on a woman's right to choose.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is questionable, particularly concerning the right to privacy as potentially protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court's rulings in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey established a woman's right to an abortion, though this right is subject to certain regulations. This bill's restrictions on abortion procedures and clinic requirements could be viewed as an undue burden on this right, potentially conflicting with established constitutional precedent. The bill's proponents may argue that the regulations are necessary to protect women's health, which could be a permissible state interest under the Constitution.
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).