On Roe’s 51st Anniversary, Reps. Chu, Caraveo, Escobar, & Jacobs Introduce ACCESS Act to Expand Capacity for Abortion Services Where Legal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today on the 51^st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision establishing a right to abortion, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (CO-08), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) introduced the Abortion Care Enhancement and Support Services (ACCESS) Act of 2024to establish a federal grant program to increase capacity to provide abortion services and other reproductive health care services for millions of Americans nationwide. Additionally, Rep. Chu rolled out a custom webpage available at chu.house.gov/know-your-reproductive-rights with a comprehensive list of federal, state, and local reproductive rights and care resources.

In the first 100 days after Roe was overturned in June 2022, over 60 clinics in 15 states stopped providing abortion services. Additionally, roughly half of U.S. states now have laws that restrict or ban abortion services. States where abortion has remained legal have seen high influxes of out-of-state patients, which has caused increased delays in accessing abortion services and other sexual and reproductive health care services. In the Myers Abortion Appointment Availability Survey, 11 states have reported appointment wait times of more than five business days, and four states had wait times of over a week. The ACCESS Act would carry out a grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to increase capacity to provide abortion services and other sexual and reproductive care in states where abortion is still legal to state residents and out of state individuals traveling to obtain health care.

“America should be celebrating 51 years of securing the right to privacy and abortion through Roe. After the Dobbs decision, however, states across the nation implemented partial and complete abortion bans—meaning people’s zip code dictates the accessibility and safety of their reproductive rights,” said Rep. Chu. “When patients who live in states with restrictive laws travel hundreds or thousands of miles to receive abortion care where it remains accessible, it can put strain on resources and clinics in areas like my district in California. It is absolutely crucial that we offer support to facilities grappling with increased demand, and our ACCESS Act legislation accomplishes just that.”

“As a doctor, I never thought that the patients I cared for in the clinic would have their freedom taken away by the government,” said Rep. Caraveo.“The interference of extremist judges between a woman and her doctor is causing increasing demand in hospitals and clinics in Colorado. I am proud to introduce the ACCESS Act of 2024 to ensure that Coloradans have the freedom to access abortion services without increased wait times, and are able to provide care for out-of-state patients.”

“After the Supreme Court stripped our constitutional right to abortion, clinics in states like California have been overwhelmed with the influx of new patients with little additional resources and funding,” said Rep. Jacobs. “Some clinics in my state have even received 4 times as many abortion patients since the fall of Roe. That’s why I’m proud to join this strong coalition of women to introduce the ACCESS Act to expand the reach of clinics’ abortion services and sexual and reproductive health care so they can serve even more people in need.”

“Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, our reproductive freedoms have been under constant attack by Republicans across the country,” said Rep. Escobar. “The women of my home state of Texas have felt the devastating consequences of these draconian measures and how burdensome it has become to leave the state to get critical care. My Democratic colleagues and I remain committed as ever to protecting women's rights to make their own reproductive health decisions, no matter where they live. I am proud to co-lead the Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support Services (ACCESS) Act of 2024, which would improve the resources and capacity of clinics around the country that have stepped up to provide essential health services to women who are denied care in their own state.”

Activities under ACCESS Actgrants will include:

• Expanding the facility to include more exam, operating, and recovery rooms;
• Purchasing medical supplies to provide reproductive and sexual health care;
• Administering telehealth services, including audio, text, and video messaging;
• Contracting or hiring necessary staff and personnel;
• Training programs to increase support staff;
• Creating accurate and educational patient resources;
• Interpretation and translating services;
• Referrals and counseling; and
• Recovery care

“As countless patients are being forced to travel to access abortion, providers are on the front lines of this public health crisis and are navigating unimaginable challenges at the hands of anti-abortion lawmakers in states around the country. We are grateful to Rep. Caraveo for her work to protect access to reproductive health care. This bill is an important step towards ensuring abortion providers can deliver essential time-sensitive health care to people who need it,” said Karen Stone, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations, Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

The legislation is currently endorsed by the following organizations: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All, All* Above All Action Fund, Power to Decide, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Council of Jewish Women, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, National Partnership for Women and Families, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights.

Click here for bill text.