According to a report by Bloomberg on Friday, the Biden administration considered declaring a public health emergency to preserve broad access to abortion services, but officials ultimately decided against the move, according to people familiar with the matter.
According to sources close to the White House, the declaration had been discussed between top officials at the Health and Human Services Department and the White House ahead of a June 28 news conference by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
However, officials set aside the idea due to concerns the impact wouldn’t justify an inevitable legal battle.
Becerra publicly acknowledged the administration had no real alternative for people needing abortions in states that enacted bans.
“There is no magic bullet — but if there’s something we can do, we will find it and we will do it,” Becerra said.
June 28: U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra on the government’s plans after the Roe v. Wade ruling, including access to abortion drugs. https://t.co/Zvzik4L7R2
— CTV News Barrie (@CTVBarrieNews) June 29, 2022
According to the report, the people familiar with the matter asked to remain anonymous because the administration’s discussions have been private.
Biden and his administration have come under intense criticism from far-left Democrats for their response to the Supreme Court’s Roe decision.
While Biden has said he sympathizes with people denied access to the procedure in states where it’s outlawed, he has also said there’s little he can do unless voters elect more members of Congress who support abortion rights.
The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade will upend the lives and impact the health of millions of women.
As I’ve said, this isn’t over. In addition to my actions to protect women’s right to travel for care and access FDA-approved medication, these Governors are stepping up: pic.twitter.com/gP98mTg1vZ
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 2, 2022
Biden on Friday will announce an executive order requiring the health department to compile a report on its actions so far to ensure abortion access.