This bill, titled the "HHS Reproductive and Sexual Health Ombuds Act of 2025," seeks to establish an Ombuds for Reproductive and Sexual Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This Ombuds will report directly to the Secretary of HHS and must possess expertise in sexual and reproductive health, demonstrating a commitment to providing care for diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and those of low socioeconomic status. The legislation mandates that the Ombuds's office maintain organizational independence from other departmental activities and be sufficiently staffed and resourced to fulfill its duties effectively. The Ombuds's primary functions include educating the public with evidence-based, medically accurate educational materials and analyzing HHS data on consumer access to specified health care services. The office will also disseminate information about connecting with health care providers, including those receiving Title X funds and abortion funds, and address reproductive and sexual health misinformation. Furthermore, the Ombuds will coordinate with the Department of Labor, Treasury, and State insurance commissioners to analyze gaps in health plan coverage for these services, and with the Federal Trade Commission on consumer protection and data privacy concerns. The bill defines "specified health care services" as evidence-based medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services related to reproductive and sexual health, including pregnancy termination, while explicitly prohibiting the collection of individually identifiable patient information.
HHS Reproductive and Sexual Health Ombuds Act of 2023
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Health
HHS Reproductive and Sexual Health Ombuds Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-5925| House
| Updated: 11/4/2025
This bill, titled the "HHS Reproductive and Sexual Health Ombuds Act of 2025," seeks to establish an Ombuds for Reproductive and Sexual Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This Ombuds will report directly to the Secretary of HHS and must possess expertise in sexual and reproductive health, demonstrating a commitment to providing care for diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and those of low socioeconomic status. The legislation mandates that the Ombuds's office maintain organizational independence from other departmental activities and be sufficiently staffed and resourced to fulfill its duties effectively. The Ombuds's primary functions include educating the public with evidence-based, medically accurate educational materials and analyzing HHS data on consumer access to specified health care services. The office will also disseminate information about connecting with health care providers, including those receiving Title X funds and abortion funds, and address reproductive and sexual health misinformation. Furthermore, the Ombuds will coordinate with the Department of Labor, Treasury, and State insurance commissioners to analyze gaps in health plan coverage for these services, and with the Federal Trade Commission on consumer protection and data privacy concerns. The bill defines "specified health care services" as evidence-based medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services related to reproductive and sexual health, including pregnancy termination, while explicitly prohibiting the collection of individually identifiable patient information.