Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2025This bill requires states, as a condition of federal payment under Medicaid for family planning services, to report certain abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Currently, reporting is voluntary.) The CDC must develop standardized questions for states with respect to specified variables (e.g., maternal demographics and methods of abortion).
If enacted, SB178 would impose specific conditions on Medicaid payments for family planning services contingent upon the submission of detailed abortion data by the states. States would be required to submit standardized data annually, covering mandatory questions related to abortions, including demographic variables such as maternal age, race, gestational age, and method of abortion. This requirement aims to create a comprehensive database that can be used for public health assessments and policy evaluations. States failing to report accurate data could face consequences in terms of Medicaid funding for family planning services.
SB178, titled the 'Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2025', aims to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act and the Public Health Service Act to enhance the reporting mechanisms of abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One of the primary motivations for this bill stems from historical concerns regarding the voluntary nature of abortion data reporting, which has led to inconsistencies and incomplete records across different states. The bill highlights a disparity in data submissions, where some states do not report any abortion data at all, thus impeding public health analysis and policymaking.
This bill may face significant debate and contention, primarily centered around issues of privacy, state autonomy, and public health implications. Supporters argue that capturing accurate and complete abortion data is essential for understanding trends and improving women's health services. However, opponents may express concerns regarding how such data will be used or misused, potentially infringing on individuals' privacy rights. There may also be apprehensions within states about the financial implications of meeting these new reporting requirements and the potential for federal overreach into state health policies.