Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Dr. Dorothy Fink, has announced that the agency will be conducting a review of its current practices to ensure that federal dollars are not being used to promote non-medically necessary abortions. This decision comes in response to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 24, which calls for the enforcement of laws under the Hyde Amendment, prohibiting the use of federal funds for elective abortions.
The Office of Civil Rights within HHS has been assigned the task of investigating whether the agency's programs, regulations, and guidance comply with federal guidelines outlined in the Hyde Amendment. Dr. Fink emphasized that it is a priority of the Department to strengthen enforcement of laws protecting conscience and religious rights.
In addition to the internal review, HHS has also decided to rejoin the international Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family. This declaration aims to achieve health and development gains for women, protect life at all stages, defend the family as the fundamental unit of society, and collaborate across the United Nations system to uphold these values.
The announcement from Dr. Fink aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to uphold policies that restrict federal funding for non-medically necessary abortions. The decision to reevaluate HHS programs under the Hyde Amendment reflects a commitment to ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations.
While the review is ongoing, HHS will work closely with the Office of Global Affairs to support the U.S.'s participation in the Geneva Consensus Declaration. The Department's focus on upholding laws that safeguard taxpayer funds from being used for elective abortions underscores its dedication to promoting policies that align with the principles outlined in the Hyde Amendment.
