Bera Reintroduces Reproductive Health Care Training Act on Fourth Anniversary of Dobbs Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, on the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) reintroduced the Reproductive Health Care Training Act alongside Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Kelly Morrison, M.D. (MN-03).

The legislation would help address the health education challenges created by abortion bans and restrictions by expanding reproductive health care training opportunities in states where comprehensive abortion care training remains legal and available.

"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 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."

"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."

"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."

"As an OB-GYN, I've seen firsthand the harmful impact of the relentless attacks on access to comprehensive reproductive care. Restricting life-saving training is dangerous for every health professional, plain and simple," said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison, the first and only pro-choice OB-GYN to serve in Congress. "Medicine is a team effort and having more health professionals trained in comprehensive reproductive health care benefits all of us. This is about providing lifesaving care - from abortion care, to miscarriage management. As we work to restore abortion rights for all Americans, this bill will help encourage health care professionals to train in safe reproductive health care at a time where it matters most."

The Dobbs decision ended nearly fifty years of federal constitutional protections for abortion access. Since then, numerous states have enacted abortion bans or severe restrictions, creating new challenges for medical schools, residency programs, and health care providers seeking training in reproductive health care.

The Reproductive Health Care Training Act would establish a federal grant program to support accredited health professions schools, academic health centers, and other eligible nonprofit providers in states where comprehensive abortion care training is permitted. The legislation is intended to help address gaps in reproductive health care training and strengthen the pipeline of future providers.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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