By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The administration of President Joe Biden of United States says it is watching closely for states violating women’s rights after the US Supreme Court overturned the 1973 ruling that made abortion a constitutional right.
It therefore plans aggressive legal actions, US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said on Tuesday.
He said in many instances, the Federal Government must wait for states to implement anti-abortion measures that violate federal law before taking action.
“If we see a state, for example, trying to deny a particular patient care in an emergency room, which could include abortion services if it is appropriate to preserve that woman’s life or health, we will take action, and we will do everything we can,” Becerra said at a news conference.
“It’s tough to answer some of these more precisely until we know exactly what the states are doing,” he said in response to questions on what actions HHS could take.
HHS will work with the Justice Department to ensure states do not ban medication abortion despite it being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Becerra said.
HHS also wants to ensure protection from penalization or arrest for medical professionals treating women who present with partial abortions or miscarriages as required by the Emergency Medical Treatment Act.
“There is no magic bullet. But if there is something we can do, we will find it and we will do it at HHS. Indeed, that was the instruction I received from the President of the United States,” said Becerra.
Texas is one of 13 states that in past months approved laws that ban or severely restrict abortions once the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling is struck down.
The recent decision it is believed, will ultimately restrict abortion rights in about half of the country’s 50 states.
Texas is a pioneer against women’s reproductive rights. Last year, the Republican-controlled state was the first to enact what was then the strictest anti-abortion law in the country, inspiring other legislatures to do the same.
It was a victory for conservatives, who have long sought to eliminate abortion access in the United States.p
