HR 78 · 119th CongressIn Committee

Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act of 2025

Latest updateJan 3, 2025

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Sponsor

Andy Biggs

Introduced

January 3, 2025

Latest action

January 3, 2025

Legislative Progress

How far this bill has traveled through Congress

Introduced

Bill filed in chamber

Committee

Reviewed & reported

Passed Chamber

House or Senate vote

Passed Both

House & Senate agree

President

Sent to White House

Enacted

Signed into law

Introduced

Bill filed in chamber

Committee

Reviewed & reported

Passed Chamber

House or Senate vote

Passed Both

House & Senate agree

President

Sent to White House

Enacted

Signed into law

Latest Action

Plain-Language Summary

AI Generated

Currently, federal law contains limited restrictions on abortion procedures. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 prohibits a specific procedure but does not establish broader requirements for physicians performing abortions or for facilities where abortions occur. Many abortion providers operate under varying state regulations, and there is no uniform federal standard requiring physicians to have hospital admitting privileges or to inform patients about follow-up care locations. This patchwork of rules creates inconsistency across states and leaves gaps in federal oversight of abortion provision.

This bill amends title 18 of the United States Code to establish new federal requirements for physicians and abortion clinics. It requires any physician performing an abortion to hold admitting privileges at a hospital within 15 miles of both their principal medical office and the abortion facility, and to notify the patient of that hospital's location for potential follow-up care. Physicians who knowingly violate these requirements face fines and up to two years in prison. The bill also requires abortion clinics receiving any federal funds to be state-licensed and to comply with ambulatory surgery center standards under Medicare rules, though state health boards may waive certain structural requirements. Notably, the bill explicitly prohibits prosecuting women who undergo the procedure.

These requirements take effect upon enactment with no specified transition period. Abortion clinics must immediately meet state licensing and ambulatory surgery center compliance standards to continue receiving federal funds—affecting Medicaid reimbursements and other federal assistance. Physicians must secure hospital admitting privileges, which may prove difficult in rural areas or regions with limited hospital capacity, potentially reducing abortion access in those locations. The bill does not appropriate new funding for implementation, placing compliance costs on providers and states. Existing state abortion regulations remain in effect alongside these federal standards, creating a dual regulatory framework.

Key Provisions

1Requires physicians performing abortions to maintain admitting privileges at a hospital within 15 miles of their medical office and the abortion facility, and to inform patients of that hospital location for follow-up care.
2Prohibits physicians from knowingly performing abortions without meeting the admitting privileges and patient notification requirements, with violations punishable by fines and imprisonment up to two years.
3Requires abortion clinics receiving any federal funds to be state-licensed and comply with Medicare ambulatory surgery center standards, with state health boards authorized to waive certain structural requirements.
4Explicitly shields women from prosecution under the bill's requirements or related conspiracy and accomplice statutes.
5Amends the chapter heading of title 18, chapter 74 from 'Partial-Birth Abortions' to 'Abortions' to reflect the expanded scope of federal abortion regulation.

★ Why this matters

Physicians performing abortions must obtain hospital admitting privileges within 15 miles of their practice and facility, a requirement that may be difficult to meet in rural or underserved areas, potentially reducing abortion access. Abortion clinics must meet Medicare ambulatory surgery center standards to receive any federal funding, raising operational costs and compliance burdens. These changes create a uniform federal regulatory framework for abortion provision that operates alongside existing state laws, affecting how and where abortions can be performed nationwide.

● Who this affects

Abortion providers and physicians performing abortions face the most direct impact, as they must secure hospital admitting privileges and ensure compliance with federal standards. Abortion clinics, particularly independent facilities in rural areas or regions with limited hospital networks, will experience increased regulatory and financial pressure. Women seeking abortions, especially those in rural counties or areas with few providers, may face reduced access or longer travel distances. State health departments and hospital systems will need to implement licensing and compliance verification. Medicaid programs will be affected by changes to which facilities can receive federal reimbursement for abortion services.

Bill Text

View on Congress.gov

Show / hide bill text preview

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 H. R. 78

  To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain abortion 
                  procedures, and for other purposes.

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 3, 2025

    Mr. Biggs of Arizona (for himself and Mr. Allen) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 
 and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period 
    to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

                                 A BILL

 
  To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain abortion 
                  procedures, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act 
of 2025''.

SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT FOR PHYSICIANS RELATING TO THE PERFORMANCE OF 
              ABORTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 74 of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in the chapter heading by striking ``PARTIAL-BIRTH''; 
        and
            (2) by inserting after section 1531 the following:
``Sec. 1532. Prohibition on certain procedures
    ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `physician' means a 
doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally authorized to practice 
medicine and surgery by the State in which the doctor performs such 
activity, or any other individual legally authorized by the State to 
perform abortions.
    ``(b) Requirements.--A physician who performs an abortion shall--
            ``(1) have admitting privileges at a hospital located 
        within 15 miles from the principal medical office of the 
        physician and the location in which the abortion is being 
        performed; and
            ``(2) at the time of the abortion, notify the patient 
        involved of the hospital location where the patient can receive 
        follow-up care by the physician if complications resulting from 
        the abortion arise.
    ``(c) Offense.--It shall be unlawful for a physician, in or 
affecting interstate or foreign commerce, to knowingly perform an 
abortion and, in doing so, fail to comply with subsection (b).
    ``(d) Penalty.--Any physician who violates subsection (c) shall be 
fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
    ``(e) Limitation.--A woman upon whom a procedure described in 
subsection (c) is performed may not be prosecuted under this section, 
for a conspiracy to violate this section, or for an offense under 
section 2, 3, or 4 of this title based on a violation of this 
section.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Chapter 74.--The table of sect…

Auto-Whip

Where House representatives currently stand

Built from official statements, public releases, and voting records where they exist. Members without enough evidence are marked as no position.

448 tracked

Support

448

No Position

Oppose

Support

Members whose public record points toward backing the bill.

No members in this group yet.

Opposition

Members whose public record points toward opposition.

No members in this group yet.

No Position

Members we are still tracking, but without enough public evidence yet.

448

Alma Adams

D-North Carolina · District 12

No position

Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

Plain-Language Summary

Key Provisions

★ Why this matters

● Who this affects

Bill Text

Where House representatives currently stand

Support

Opposition

No Position

Party Positions

Democratic Party

Republican Party

Take Action

Active Organizations

Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

Plain-Language Summary

Key Provisions

★ Why this matters

● Who this affects

Bill Text

Where House representatives currently stand

Support

Opposition

No Position

Party Positions

Democratic Party

Republican Party

Take Action

Active Organizations