“To establish within the Department of Health and Human Services an Ombuds for Reproductive and Sexual Health.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Ombuds for Reproductive and Sexual Health (referred to as the Ombuds) to report directly to the HHS Secretary, with qualifications requiring expertise in sexual and reproductive health and demonstrated commitment to specified health care services (i.e., evidence-based medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to reproductive and sexual health, including pregnancy termination). The Secretary must ensure the Ombuds office's organizational independence from other HHS reproductive and sexual health activities, sufficient staffing and resources, timely access to necessary HHS records (within 60 days of request), and public outreach on the office's authorities and duties. The Ombuds functions include the following: (1) educating the public on specified health care services using evidence-based materials; (2) analyzing HHS data on consumer access to such services; (3) coordinating with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury and state insurance commissioners to assess coverage of specified services under federal health care programs (as defined in SSA §1128B), Federal Employees Health Benefits, group and individual market insurance, and self-insured plans, including coverage gaps; (4) disseminating information on connecting with Title X providers, abortion funds, and other clinics offering specified services; (5) providing evidence-based information on medication abortions outside formal medical settings; (6) collecting and addressing reproductive and sexual health misinformation (i.e., non-evidence-based or medically inaccurate information); (7) coordinating with the Federal Trade Commission on consumer protection and data privacy for reproductive and sexual health services; and (8) promoting awareness of qualified health plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and their benefits for specified services. The Ombuds may request HHS Inspector General investigations related to these functions and must comply with federal privacy laws. Not later than June 30, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Ombuds must report to Congress evaluating these functions. A rule of construction clarifies that the Ombuds may not collect individually identifiable information.