Sherman Introduces the Medical Travel Assistance to Protect Women's Right to Choose Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) introduced The Medical Travel Assistance to Protect Women's Right to Choose Act. This legislation will support women living in states that have enacted abortion bans by providing funding to travel to states where they can access full reproductive healthcare.

Sherman said "The bill is an imperfect solution to a problem that should not exist. The Supreme Court should re-affirm and enforce Roe v. Wade so that women in all states have the right to choose."

The Medical Travel Assistance to Protect Women's Right to Choose Act will direct the Department of Health and Human Services to provide up to $1,000, and in certain extraordinary cases more, to cover the travel expenses for any resident of a state that restricts abortion services beyond the restrictions allowed under Roe v. Wade. These funds will cover round-trip travel, lodging and meals but will not be used to pay for the abortion service itself.

Additionally, the legislation will require the U.S. Attorney General to take every step available to the Department of Justice to invalidate Texas's unconstitutional abortion ban.

"We must ensure that women have full access to all reproductive health services," said Sherman. "The Supreme Court's failure to stop Texas's abortion ban is an egregious affront to women's rights, health, and reproductive freedoms. We have an obligation to guarantee that all women, regardless of which state they live in, have access to their constitutional reproductive rights. My legislation is an important step in combatting the new challenges we face."

This bill is important now more than ever as South Dakota and Mississippi move forward with legislation to further undermine women's constitutionally protected reproductive rights. We must provide women with the tools to seek constitutionally protected professional medical care.

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