The Joe Biden administration says U.S. physicians must provide abortions if a pregnant woman is experiencing a medical emergency and their life is at risk.

Washington, July 13 (RHC)-- The Joe Biden administration says U.S. physicians must provide abortions if a pregnant woman is experiencing a medical emergency and their life is at risk. In a letter to federal health agencies, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said doctors who offer the procedure in states with abortion bans would be protected under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which is federal law. 

Becerra warned hospitals and physicians who refuse to provide abortions under these circumstances would face the loss of Medicare funding and financial support from other state health programs.

In Michigan, reproductive justice advocates have formally submitted over 700,000 signatures in support of a ballot initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in the state’s Constitution.  The measure would be up for a vote in November.