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Trump Creates Information Vacuum With Shutdown of ReproductiveRights.gov

Women have less access to information about birth control and other details about reproductive health. (Photo: Bruce Blaus/Creative Commons)

By Sabrina McCrear

Howard University News Service

WASHINGTON — The shutdown of  reproductiverights.gov is detrimental to public health and information, experts warn.

“The removal of these resources is a real threat to the public’s understanding of reproductive rights at a time when the laws regarding reproductive care are so varied across the country,” said Sonia Suter, a health law professor at George Washington University with a focus on reproductive rights and justice.

The government website provided vital resources for reproductive rights and health, abortion access and birth control, but President Trump shut it down Monday just hours after he was sworn into office.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) established the website in July 2022, the same year Trump’s appointed Supreme Court justices overturned the 1973 federal ruling that protected women’s rights to an abortion.

The website was last reported active on Jan. 15, according to Bloomberg citation of the Wayback Machine’s internet archive. Now, the Wayback Machine yields a “no results” message, while the parent site, Internet Archive, documents only the founding date of the site without any material content.

What Was on ReproductiveRights.gov?

A key section on the website was titled “Know Your Rights,” stating HHS’ mission to provide frequent updates on reproductive health care and resources; the states where abortion is still legal or illegal, and states where legality varies by gestation period.

“Such government-sponsored health information can help level the playing field to some extent,” Suter said, “which is a necessary, but not a sufficient step to advance health equity.”

The website also kept viewers updated on Supreme Court decisions related to reproductive health. The top of the web page showcased the Supreme Court ruling that the abortion medication mifepristone remained approved for its dedicated use by the FDA.

In response to the website’s removal, a digital media company, theSkimm published the reproductiverights.gov content. The publication is dedicated to providing women with information to make confident decisions. It is also committed to “breaking down the news, trends, policies and politics that impact women so that they can navigate their daily lives and futures with confidence.”

The Skimm article references what reproductive and preventative care is covered by insurance, what care is protected by law, including preventative health screenings, and where to access more health information.

“This isn’t about politics; it’s about providing women with the information they deserve, presented in a clear, unbiased way,” said Margaret Wheeler Johnson, executive editor of theSkimm.

Participants in the People’s March walked from K Street to the Lincoln Memorial. (Photo: Kayla Smernoff/HUNewsService.com)

How Will This Affect Women Seeking Information?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires private insurance to cover at least one form of contraception from each FDA-identified contraceptive category; like hormonal methods including birth control pills or injections, or intrauterine devices like IUDs or implants.

Trump’s executive order titled “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions” revoked President Biden’s 2022 executive order to “strengthen America’s access to affordable quality health coverage.”

Biden’s order lowered the “maximum out-of-pocket costs for consumers with employer and ACA coverage by $400 in 2022.” It also implemented “policies or practices that strengthen benefits and improve access to health care providers.”

Not only is Trump’s repeal likely to spike abortion pill prices, but the Associated Press also reported a spike in orders for the pill from people stockpiling the medication in fear of Trump’s executive actions.

“The threat of removing these resources is greatest to marginalized communities, who have less access to reproductive health care generally and less access to information about their reproductive rights,” Suter said.

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Trump’s Stance on Abortion

Although Trump has proclaimed on many occasions that he would veto a nationwide abortion ban, the removal of reproductiverights.gov still ostracizes women and persons alike from accessing lifesaving information.

Trump may not be a direct threat to abortion access and legality, but his appointed administration might.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for HHS secretary, has switched his stance on abortion numerous times. He has shifted from a strict anti-abortion mindset to approving it until a certain point.

“I support the emerging consensus that abortion should be unrestricted up until a certain point,” Kennedy said on  X (formerly known as Twitter) earlier last year. “Therefore, I would allow appropriate restrictions on abortion in the final months of pregnancy, just as Roe v. Wade did.”

Dr. Marty Makary, Trump’s choice to serve as FDA commissioner, might also threaten access to the abortion pill if he is confirmed.

On June 13, 2024, the Supreme Court struck down a lawsuit aimed at restricting access to the abortion pill mifepristone.

Yet, specialists predict if Markary were to act on abortion, it would likely be to restrict telehealth prescription litigation, requiring an in-person prescription and retrieval of the medication.

Nevertheless, “access to reproductive care is unequal in the United States,” Suter said, “which makes it essential for everyone to be able to obtain information about their reproductive rights.”

Sabrina McCrear is a White House reporter for HUNewsService.com specializing in health policy.