Us Congress Senate Bill SB1297

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/26/23
• Refer: 4/26/23

Caption

Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act

Impact

SB1297 aims to prevent states or individuals from taking adverse actions against healthcare providers based on their provision or assistance with reproductive health services, which are lawful in respective states. It empowers the Attorney General to initiate civil actions against any state or entity that enforces limitations contrary to this bill. Furthermore, the bill allocates federal funding to support security measures for healthcare providers and creates a legal defense fund for providers facing legal challenges related to offering reproductive health services.

Summary

SB1297, titled the ‘Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act’, is a legislative proposal aimed at ensuring the right to provide reproductive health care services, particularly focusing on abortion services and contraception. The bill establishes definitions for health care providers and reproductive health care services, emphasizing that any entity engaged in these services should not face restrictions based on their provision of lawful abortion services. This aspect seeks to create a clearer legal landscape for health care providers operating in states with varying abortion laws.

Contention

The bill has sparked considerable debate and contention among lawmakers. Proponents argue that it is a necessary measure to safeguard reproductive rights at a federal level, particularly in light of state-level restrictions and other legislative efforts aimed at curbing access to abortion services. Critics, however, may view it as an overreach of federal authority that could override local laws and sentiments regarding reproductive health care, thereby generating disputes over state sovereignty.