BIDEN ANNOUNCES FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS, ABORTION PROVIDERS IN TEXAS

The Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) announced on Friday several actions it plans to take to protect patients and abortion providers in Texas following a recently enacted abortion law in the state.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court declined to block a Texas abortion law, which allows abortions to be banned once a “fetal heartbeat” has been detected, which often happens before a woman knows she is pregnant. Private citizens can sue those who they believe aided or performed the medical procedure, garnering $10,000 for each successful suit.

Since the Supreme Court ruling, the Biden administration has vowed to fight the measure.

Among the initiatives announced by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is additional funding for Every Body Texas, a nonprofit that distributes money to sexual and reproductive health care clinics throughout Texas.

Up to $10 million would also be given in grants to clinics that have seen a higher number of clients following the recently enacted Texas law in addition to other clinics across the country.