Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HR238

Introduced
3/21/25  

Caption

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that every person has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care.

Impact

If adopted, HR238 could influence state-level legislation by reinforcing the notion that emergency healthcare access is a fundamental right. The resolution vocalizes the significant risks associated with existing state-level bans on abortion and emphasizes that these laws disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including people of color, the LGBTQI+ population, and individuals from low-income backgrounds. This could lead to more robust advocacy for changes in state laws aimed at ensuring that medical providers are protected when delivering care needed in emergencies.

Summary

House Resolution 238 emphasizes the necessity of emergency health care, asserting that every individual is entitled to such services, which explicitly includes abortion care. The resolution addresses the implications of state laws that restrict access to abortion, particularly in emergency situations, where delays or denials of care can significantly endanger the health and lives of patients. The text argues that these restrictions place burdens on medical providers, forcing them to choose between withholding critical care and facing potential legal repercussion, thus impacting patient care in urgent scenarios.

Contention

A point of contention surrounding HR238 is the pushback from various stakeholders who believe that abortion should not be included as part of emergency healthcare. Opponents argue that allowing for such provisions in emergency medical situations could undermine the integrity of established medical practices and patient safety protocols. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding how such a resolution might lead to further legal challenges against healthcare providers and hospitals in states where abortion laws are stringent and could create confusion regarding the obligations of medical professionals during emergencies.

Congress_id

119-HRES-238

Policy_area

Health

Introduced_date

2025-03-21

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HR1448

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that every person has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care.

US SR828

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that every person has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care.

US HR1386

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on Project 2025.

US HR309

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Food and Drug Administration has the authority to approve drugs for abortion care.

US HR1617

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that it is the duty of the Federal Government to dramatically expand and strengthen the care economy.

US HCR68

Expressing support for the recognition of September 26, 2023, as "World Contraception Day" and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding global and domestic access to contraception.

US HCR95

Expressing support for the recognition of March 10, 2024, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day".

US HCR109

Expressing the sense of the Congress that assisted suicide (sometimes referred to using other terms) puts everyone, including those most vulnerable, at risk of deadly harm.

US SCR30

A concurrent resolution expressing support for the recognition of March 10, 2024, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day".

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.