Dear Neighbor,
As our community continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all thinking about the best ways to keep our families safe and healthy. At the top of that list is ensuring our loved ones have access to the health care they need and deserve.
That’s why I’m excited to share with you that, today, President Biden signed two executive actions that will begin to restore and strengthen Americans’ access to quality, affordable health care. First, President Biden has directed the Department of Health and Human Services to open a special enrollment period for Marketplace coverage from February 15th to May 15th on Healthcare.gov.
It is critical that we do all we can to expand health coverage to those in need during this pandemic. Additionally, this executive order instructed federal agencies to consider additional measures to strengthen Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Importantly, the President’s second executive action will rescind the global gag rule, also known as the Mexico City Policy, which bars international non-profits that provide abortion counseling or referrals from receiving U.S. funding. First imposed by the Reagan administration, the global gag rule prohibits the U.S. Agency for International Development from providing grants to organizations delivering critical health and family planning services to some of the poorest women in the world if such services included pro-choice advocacy, referrals, or coverage. It is a dangerously flawed policy at any time, but especially in the middle of a global pandemic when we should be supporting and partnering with any reputable international health group fighting to curb the spread of COVID-19, regardless of the family planning services they provide.
President Obama rescinded the global gag rule, only for President Trump to bring it back and expand its reach. Now, for the good of Americans and people around the globe, President Biden has done away with it again. But Congress must take action on this front as well. That’s why I have been proud to cosponsor the Global HER Act, which would prevent future administrations from reinstating the rule again.
After four long years of attempts to repeal the ACA and rip health care away from millions, the Biden Administration’s decisive actions aimed at increasing and improving coverage will save lives. I am committed to partnering with the President to reduce health care costs, address growing health care needs and inequities created by the pandemic, protect access to comprehensive reproductive health care, and make our health care system easier to navigate and more equitable.
Better days are ahead.
Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and remember that my office is here to help. Be sure to visit the COVID-19 page on my website for more information and resources. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.
