H.R.795 - Pregnancy Is Not an Illness Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.795, the "Pregnancy Is Not an Illness Act of 2025," aims to prevent the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the FDA, from classifying pregnancy as an illness when approving abortion drugs. The bill prohibits HHS from using this classification under Section 505 and 505-1 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It also includes a provision to nullify any existing approvals of abortion drugs that relied on treating pregnancy as an illness, specifically mentioning mifepristone.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would restrict the FDA's ability to approve or maintain risk evaluation strategies for abortion drugs based on the premise of pregnancy being an illness. Existing approvals, such as that of mifepristone, could be nullified if they are deemed to have relied on such a premise. This could lead to reduced access to abortion drugs.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially affirms a specific viewpoint on pregnancy.
- Could lead to the development of alternative approaches to women's health.
- May reduce perceived government overreach in defining medical conditions.
- Could encourage a focus on preventative care rather than medical intervention during pregnancy.
Potential Disadvantages
- May restrict access to safe and legal abortion options.
- Could be interpreted as undermining women's healthcare decisions.
- May disproportionately affect low-income individuals and marginalized communities.
- Could create legal uncertainty regarding the approval status of existing abortion drugs.
- May hinder medical advancements in reproductive healthcare.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is complex and subject to interpretation. Arguments against the bill may cite the right to privacy, potentially linking to the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause. Arguments supporting the bill may emphasize the Tenth Amendment, reserving powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. The bill's impact on individual liberties and healthcare access could raise constitutional questions.
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).