Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) reintroduced the Reproductive Healthcare Training Act.  The Reproductive Healthcare Training Act creates a grant program for health professional schools, academic health centers, or other nonprofit health care safety net providers to establish medical training programs in states where abortion is legal, so that students, residents, and advanced practice clinicians  in states where abortion is limited or banned can receive proper education in reproductive health care.  The bill also prepares and encourages these individuals to serve as abortion providers after completing their training.  The reintroduction comes on the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and enabled states across the country to ban or restrict abortion and interfere with women’s ability to travel out of state for reproductive healthcare.  Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) also reintroduced this legislation in the U.S. Senate today. 

“Restrictions on access to abortion care in Texas and states like it place burdens on medical students, residents, and advanced practice clinicians, who cannot receive proper training to provide the full range of reproductive healthcare, as well as on their patients,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “It is critical that as we work to restore and protect abortion access, we also work to educate the next generation of healthcare providers on the full range of reproductive healthcare, including abortion care.  For both students and educational institutions, success depends on proper and full education.  I am glad to join Congressman Bera, Congresswoman Schrier, and Congressman Pocan to ensure healthcare professionals have access to training in reproductive health care.”

"The consequences of the Dobbs decision continue to be felt across the country four years later," said Representative Ami Bera, M.D., who previously served as Chief Medical Officer for Sacramento County. "As a doctor, I strongly believe that medical decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor, not politicians. Since Dobbs, abortion bans and restrictions have created significant barriers to reproductive health care and disrupted medical education for students and providers in many states. The Reproductive Health Care Training Act is an important step toward addressing those gaps and ensuring future health care professionals can receive comprehensive, evidence-based training."

“As the fight for reproductive care continues, it is more important than ever that medical students receive a comprehensive education to help all future patients, which includes abortion training," said Congresswoman Kim Schrier.  “This legislation would expand reproductive care education regardless of where healthcare professionals train.  As the only pediatrician in Congress, and as a woman and mom, I will continue to do everything I can to protect women’s access to safe abortion, and physicians' ability to provide a full spectrum of care across the country.”

“Because of the Dobbs decision, patients across the country are facing challenges where patients cannot get abortion care, but medical students are prevented from learning the skills they need,” said Congressman Mark Pocan.  “The Reproductive Health Care Training Act is crucial legislation that ensures medical students gain all necessary clinical skills, no matter where they train. Abortion is healthcare.  Student doctors in every state should be able to learn to provide patients the care that is their right.”

If enacted, the Reproductive Healthcare Training Act would establish a program, funded at $25 million each year for the next five years, to award grants or contracts to health professional schools, academic health centers, or other nonprofit health care safety net providers in states where abortion is legal to: 

• Ensure education for students, residents, or advanced practice clinicians studying or working in states where abortion is limited or banned; and
• Prepare and encourage students, residents, and advanced practice clinicians training to serve as abortion providers after completing such training.

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher is Vice Chair and Whip of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus and has led several efforts to protect access to abortion.  After a Texas Judge banned abortion medication across the country, she introduced the Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act, H.R. 2573, with Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18) to reaffirm that the abortion pill was appropriately approved by the FDA. 

She is the lead House sponsor of a bill to protect the right to travel between states to obtain an abortion, the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, H.R. 782, which passed the House, and which she reintroduced last year.  Congresswoman Fletcher was an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, H.R. 12, which establishes a statutory federal right to abortion free from medically unnecessary restrictions.

To view the full text of the Reproductive Healthcare Training Act, click here.