Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to Embark on National Tour to Promote Abortion Access
Xavier Becerra, the secretary of health and human services, announced on Friday that he will be embarking on a national tour next week to promote the Biden administration’s efforts to preserve and expand access to abortion. The tour will kick off on Tuesday in Washington and will take Mr. Becerra to states across the West, including Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico.
During the tour, Mr. Becerra plans to attend round-table discussions with health care providers, family-planning groups, and families who have been affected by restrictive state abortion laws. He will be delivering a message of clear and accurate information regarding abortion rights, emphasizing that women still have a lot of rights when it comes to their reproductive health.
The timing of the tour comes after the Supreme Court unanimously rejected a bid to restrict access to mifepristone, a widely available abortion pill. Mr. Becerra emphasized the urgency of his message, stating that many women are still confused about their rights and access to abortion.
While the tour is not on behalf of President Biden’s re-election campaign, Mr. Becerra will be discussing reproductive rights in states with key races on the ballot in November. The issue of abortion has become central to elections since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, with Democrats hoping to drive voters to the polls by championing abortion rights.
Mr. Becerra has been tasked with protecting access to reproductive care by the White House, working closely with the Justice Department to ensure access to abortion pills. He has been meeting with patients and providers across the country, advocating for women’s rights to access necessary healthcare services.
In an interview on Friday, Mr. Becerra highlighted the challenges that many women still face in accessing reproductive care, including being turned away from emergency rooms and having to travel long distances for treatment. He emphasized the importance of providing clear information to empower women to make informed decisions about their health.
The national tour led by Mr. Becerra aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and expanding access to abortion, particularly in states where the issue is a key factor in upcoming elections. By engaging with healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and affected families, Mr. Becerra hopes to ensure that women across the country are informed and empowered to make decisions about their reproductive health.
