Biden will sign an order seeking to protect birth control access a year after Roe was overturned

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President Joe Biden will be signing an executive order to safeguard access to birth control, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn federal abortion protections. In his bid for re-election in 2024, Biden is relying on reproductive rights as a rallying point for voters, as he secures endorsements from influential organizations like Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Emily’s List. These endorsements underscore the significance of the issue for Democrats in the upcoming election. The groups’ leaders highlight the administration’s efforts to protect patients and providers during the healthcare crisis, positioning the choice between Biden’s pro-choice stance and the opposition’s push for a national abortion ban.

Biden and his fellow Democrats have witnessed the potency of the abortion issue, with the majority of Americans favoring legalized abortion nationwide. Despite initial skepticism from political pundits, abortion emerged as a major concern for voters during the 2022 midterm elections. Voters consistently rejected attempts to restrict abortion rights when given the opportunity. Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s campaign manager, expressed pride in the endorsements from these influential organizations, emphasizing the impact of their organizing power in the successful 2022 midterms and their continued importance in future elections.

Biden has been vocal about his commitment to protecting reproductive healthcare, including enshrining abortion rights into federal law. In his upcoming remarks at a rally alongside First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, the President is expected to emphasize this commitment. Meanwhile, just a mile away, the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s annual conference is taking place, where GOP presidential candidates are encouraged to pursue stricter abortion restrictions while assuaging concerns about potential backlash from voters. Former President Donald Trump, the leading contender in the GOP primary, will address the conference, even though he has acknowledged that strict abortion restrictions could be a vulnerability for Republicans.

Biden’s executive order focuses on bolstering access to contraception, a concern that has gained traction among Democrats due to conservative signals suggesting regulation of contraception beyond abortion. In 2017, nearly 65% of girls and women aged 15 to 49 in the U.S. utilized some form of contraception. The order aims to expand contraceptive options, lower out-of-pocket costs, and raise awareness about available options.

While the endorsements from prominent pro-choice organizations were anticipated, their early and resounding support for Biden and Harris underscores the issue’s significance in mobilizing voters, despite claims that it has lost prominence. The enduring impact of abortion bans is becoming more apparent as personal experiences and stories accumulate. These bans affect decisions related to college choices and medical careers, permeating everyday life and resulting in unintended consequences.

The consequences of limiting abortion access extend beyond terminating unwanted pregnancies to affect miscarriage and overall pregnancy care. Women in states with stringent restrictions face difficulties accessing care for pregnancy-related complications, and doctors are increasingly hesitant to treat patients who haven’t reached the threshold of treatability due to the threat of criminal charges related to providing abortions.

Since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, 22 states have passed bans or highly restrictive abortion policies. However, other states have expanded access to abortion care. The Biden administration has convened leaders from all 50 states to strategize on expanding access and collaborating to support individuals in more restrictive states. Notably, there has been significant resistance to restricting rights even in conservative states, largely driven by independent women, voters, and individuals previously disengaged from politics.

States with severe abortion restrictions often exhibit high maternal mortality rates and increased rates of stillbirth and miscarriage. Black women are disproportionately affected, with more than three times the likelihood of dying from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vice President Harris has emphasized the link between maternal health care and abortion care, highlighting that the same medical procedures used for abortions are also employed in treating miscarriages.

For Emily’s List, an advocacy group for Democratic female candidates, Vice President Harris, as the first woman in this position, serves as a powerful symbol. Her presence in the administration embodies the advancement of reproductive health and freedom across the country. The Biden administration is actively leveraging every available platform to champion these causes.

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More about reproductive rights

• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• NARAL Pro-Choice America
• Emily’s List
• Supreme Court decision on abortion protections
• 2022 midterm elections and abortion as a top concern
• Biden administration’s efforts to protect reproductive healthcare
• Impact of abortion bans on individuals and communities
• Maternal health disparities and abortion care
• Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision