Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB407

Introduced
1/20/23  
Refer
1/20/23  

Caption

Protect the UNBORN (Undo the Negligent Biden Orders Right Now) Act or the Protect the UNBORN Act This bill prohibits federal implementation of and funding for specified executive orders that address access to reproductive health care services, including services related to pregnancy or the termination of a pregnancy.

Impact

If passed, HB 407 would have significant implications for federal policies related to reproductive health. By prohibiting the use of federal funds for certain executive orders, the bill would limit the federal government's ability to support initiatives aimed at enhancing access to healthcare services, particularly for reproductive health. This action is expected to directly affect funding streams for healthcare programs and services that support individuals in need of reproductive health care.

Summary

House Bill 407, titled the Protect the UNBORN (Undo the Negligent Biden Orders Right Now) Act, seeks to prohibit federal funding for the implementation of two specific executive orders aimed at protecting access to reproductive healthcare services. These executive orders, issued in 2022, are designed to ensure broader access to reproductive health services, including services related to pregnancy and its termination. The bill explicitly states that no federal agency may enforce these executive orders and that federal funds cannot be used for their implementation.

Contention

The bill has generated considerable debate in legislative circles, particularly among those advocating for reproductive rights. Opponents of HB 407 argue that the measure undermines vital healthcare services for women and potentially jeopardizes health outcomes by restricting access to necessary reproductive health services. Supporters, however, view the bill as a means to push back against what they perceive as executive overreach and an unnecessary expansion of federal influence over personal health decisions.

Notable points

The introduction of HB 407 coincides with ongoing national discussions regarding reproductive rights and healthcare access. The measure has a strong partisan divide, with its proponents largely consisting of Republican legislators who seek to challenge the previous administration's policies. The potential consequences of this bill extend beyond immediate healthcare funding and tap into broader issues of federal authority versus state control in matters of healthcare.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB73

No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act This bill prohibits federal funding of the Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force. The Department of Health and Human Services launched the task force on January 21, 2022, to identify and coordinate departmental activities related to accessing sexual and reproductive health care.

US HB445

HHS Reproductive and Sexual Health Ombuds Act of 2023 This bill creates a position within the Department of Health and Human Services to support access to reproductive and sexual health services (including services relating to pregnancy and the termination of a pregnancy) that are evidence-based and medically accurate. Functions of the position include (1) educating the public about medication abortions and other sexual and reproductive health services, (2) collecting and analyzing data about consumer access to and health insurance coverage for those services, and (3) coordinating with the Federal Trade Commission on issues related to consumer protection and data privacy for those services.

US HB62

Safeguard Healthcare Industry Employees from Litigation and Distress Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a framework to limit interference with persons seeking to provide or access reproductive health services at the state level. For the purposes of this summary, interference with persons seeking to provide or access reproductive health services includes acts to prevent, restrict, impede, or retaliate against a health care provider who provides reproductive health care services, any person or entity who helps health care providers to provide such services, any person who seeks to access such services, or any person or entity who helps another person to access such services. First, the bill reduces the allocation of funds under certain law enforcement grant programs for a state that has in effect a law authorizing state or local officers or employees to interfere with persons seeking to provide or access reproductive health services. Second, the bill prohibits interference with persons seeking to provide or access reproductive health care services by state or local officers or employees acting under color of law in any manner that would have a discriminatory effect on a woman, and by persons who are not state or local officers or employees and are attempting to implement or enforce a state law in circumstances affecting interstate commerce. The bill authorizes civil remedies for a violation, including damages and injunctive relief. Additionally, it authorizes criminal penalties for a violation involving the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon or the infliction of bodily injury.

US HR269

Recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people under the law and ensure their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.

US HB336

Finish the Wall Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities related to the construction of a barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border and addresses other border-related issues. DHS must resume all such construction activities that were planned or underway prior to January 20, 2021. DHS must also expend all funds appropriated or explicitly obligated since October 1, 2016, for construction of this barrier system. DHS may not cancel contracts for activities related to such construction entered into on or before January 20, 2021. Furthermore, within 14 days of this bill's enactment, DHS must certify to Congress that U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities that process adults taken into custody at the border are fully compliant with certain laws related to the collection of DNA. (Among other things, these laws allow for the collection of DNA samples from non-U.S. persons detained under U.S. authority.)

US HB9

No Pro-Abortion Task Force ActThis bill prohibits the use of federal funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force or any successor or substantially similar task force.HHS launched the task force on January 21, 2022, to identify and coordinate departmental activities related to accessing sexual and reproductive health care.

US HB12

Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services. Before fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from using particular abortion procedures or drugs, offering abortion services via telemedicine, or immediately providing abortion services if delaying risks the patient's health. Furthermore, governments may not require providers to perform unnecessary medical procedures, provide medically inaccurate information, or comply with credentialing or other conditions that do not apply to providers who offer medically comparable services to abortions. Additionally, governments may not require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining services. After fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from performing abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life and health. The same provisions that apply to abortions before viability also apply to necessary abortions after viability. Additionally, states may authorize post-viability abortions in circumstances beyond those that the bill considers necessary. Further, the bill recognizes an individual's right to interstate travel, including for abortion services. The bill also prohibits governments from implementing measures that are similar to those restricted by the bill or that otherwise single out and impede access to abortion services, unless the measure significantly advances the safety of abortion services or health of patients and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may sue states or government officials to enforce this bill, regardless of certain immunity that would otherwise apply.

US HB4901

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

US HR464

Acknowledging that unborn children are legal and constitutional persons who are entitled to the equal protection of the laws.

US SR144

A resolution recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people under the law and ensure their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic safety.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.