H.R.796 - Second Chance for Moms Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.796, the "Second Chance for Moms Act of 2025," aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act. It mandates a warning label on mifepristone, advising that its effects can be counteracted, and establishes a hotline to provide information to women seeking to reverse the effects of mifepristone. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would require specific warning labels on mifepristone packaging and create a federally supported hotline. This hotline would provide information about abortion pill reversal (APR) and referrals to healthcare providers offering such services. The changes would likely influence women's decisions regarding medication abortion.
Potential Benefits
- Provides women seeking to reverse the effects of mifepristone with information and resources.
- Establishes a hotline to support women 24/7.
- Mandates a warning label on mifepristone packaging, ensuring women are aware of potential reversal options.
- Could potentially increase fetal survival rates in cases where women change their minds after taking mifepristone.
- Supports the idea of informed consent by providing additional information to patients.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The claim that mifepristone's effects can be reliably counteracted is medically debated, and the bill may promote misinformation.
- The hotline may only refer to providers who offer abortion pill reversal, potentially limiting access to comprehensive medical advice.
- Mandating specific warning labels could be seen as imposing a particular viewpoint on abortion, potentially infringing on patient autonomy.
- The bill may face legal challenges based on First Amendment grounds related to compelled speech.
- Could create additional barriers to accessing medication abortion, potentially delaying or complicating the process.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. Arguments for alignment could cite the government's interest in promoting potential life and informed consent. However, arguments against alignment could be based on the First Amendment, specifically regarding compelled speech through the warning label requirement, and potential infringements on a woman's right to choose, as historically interpreted under the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause. The establishment of a hotline could also raise questions about government neutrality on the issue of abortion.
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).