Should SB186 be enacted, it would significantly alter the current landscape of reproductive health services available on federal properties. The prohibition means that individuals seeking abortion services would need to rely solely on private facilities outside of federal lands, which may not always be accessible depending on geographical location and available health services. Consequently, this could lead to disparities in access to reproductive healthcare for individuals in different parts of the country, particularly in rural areas where such services may already be limited.
Summary
SB186, known as the Prohibiting Abortion on Federal Lands Act, aims to restrict the federal government's ability to promote or financially support abortion services on federal lands and facilities. This includes military installations, national parks, courthouses, and other federal buildings. The bill seeks to ensure that the federal government does not engage in any activities that could expand access to abortion services, effectively limiting the options available for individuals seeking such services on federal properties.
Contention
The bill has drawn considerable debate, particularly around the implications it carries for reproductive rights. Proponents argue that the measure is necessary to prevent the federal government from endorsing abortion services, asserting that public funds should not go towards what they view as morally contentious practices. Opponents, on the other hand, contend that SB186 undermines the rights of individuals to access necessary healthcare services, especially in areas where federal lands are prominent, thus limiting essential reproductive health resources for women.
Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of an abortion on an unborn child who has Down syndrome. It subjects a violator to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes such an abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.
Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.
Standing with Moms Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate information about pregnancy-related resources. Specifically, HHS must maintain a public website (life.gov) that lists such resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities. Additionally, HHS must maintain on its website a portal that provides a user, based on the user's responses to a series of questions, tailored information about pregnancy resources available in the user's zip code and risks related to abortion. HHS must develop a plan to conduct follow-up outreach to users of the portal (if the user consents to the outreach). States must recommend resources that meet criteria set by HHS for including through the portal. HHS may award grants to states to establish or support a system that aggregates resources to include on the portal. Further, the Health Resources and Services Administration must share information about life.gov and the portal through the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. HHS must also ensure that the life.gov website and hotline are available to families who speak languages other than English. The bill excludes from life.gov, the portal, and the hotline resources provided by entities that (1) perform, induce, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortions; or (2) financially support such entities. The bill also requires HHS to report on traffic to life.gov and the portal, gaps in services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and related matters.