Bill 118 HR 1723, also known as the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill aims to ensure access to safe and legal abortion services for individuals in the United States and around the world.
The main provisions of the bill include:
1. Repealing the Helms Amendment, which currently restricts the use of US foreign assistance funds for abortion services.
2. Repealing the Global Gag Rule, which prohibits foreign non-governmental organizations that receive US funding from providing or promoting abortion services.
3. Ensuring that US foreign assistance funds can be used to support comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion services.
4. Prohibiting the imposition of restrictions on abortion access by foreign governments as a condition of receiving US aid.
The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023 is aimed at promoting reproductive rights and health care access for individuals worldwide. Supporters of the bill argue that access to safe and legal abortion services is essential for the health and well-being of individuals, and that restrictions on abortion access can have negative consequences for public health.
Opponents of the bill may argue that it promotes abortion as a form of health care, which they may view as controversial or morally objectionable. They may also argue that US foreign assistance funds should not be used to support abortion services, citing concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars for this purpose.
Overall, the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023 is a significant piece of legislation that seeks to promote reproductive rights and health care access on a global scale. Its impact, if passed, could have far-reaching implications for individuals seeking abortion services in countries around the world.