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Today, on the 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) reintroduced the Healthcare Providers Safety Act of 2025 which amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program for healthcare providers to enhance the physical and cyber security of their facilities, personnel, and patients.

“Political violence has been rising in our country– and since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade over two years ago, much of that violence has been targeted against abortion clinics and providers,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “The Healthcare Providers Safety Act seeks to ensure personnel and facilities have sufficient resources to protect themselves in the face of unrelenting threats, violence, and harassment by extremists. As Republican attempts to strip women across the country of their reproductive rights continue, so must our efforts to protect patients and providers."

“This is a critical moment for our country. Our basic health and rights are on the line, and lawmakers hostile to reproductive health want to shame and intimidate patients and prevent medical professionals from providing vital health care. The Health Care Providers Safety Act is necessary to ensure everyone can provide and access abortion care in a safe and supportive environment. We are grateful to Rep. Escobar for reintroducing this bill and for her advocacy on behalf of patients and providers. Planned Parenthood Federation of America will continue to work to ensure providers are protected and patients can access care, no matter what,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president & CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

“The Supreme Court’s unjust decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has resulted in devastating consequences across the entire country — from abortion bans forcing people to travel across state lines to access the care they need, to an exodus of doctors that is exacerbating the existing maternal health crisis we face, to increased threats and violence against abortion providers and clinics,” said Katie O’Connor, senior director of federal abortion policy at the National Women’s Law Center. “The Health Care Providers Safety Act is an important step toward addressing some of the threats facing abortion providers today by ensuring that providers have the tools and resources to protect themselves and their facilities so they can continue providing the care patients need. We’re grateful to Rep. Veronica Escobar for championing this legislation.”

Dr. Jamila Perritt, President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in Washington DC said, “I’m thankful for the introduction of this bill that would allow grants for health care providers to pay for services or physical improvements to enhance the safety and security of their facilities. Directing resources to providers rather than law enforcement empowers providers to determine the best way to invest in their community's well-being. No one should be subjected to harassment, violence, or discrimination when getting the health care they need."

"Catholics believe in the right to healthcare and the dignity of work. Unfortunately, because of the politicized nature of essential reproductive healthcare, workers are at greater risk simply for doing their jobs — as are the patients they serve. Catholics for Choice is proud to endorse the Health Care Providers Safety Act because Catholic social justice demands that the basic rights of workers be protected, including their physical and digital safety," said Ashley Hildebrand, Senior Advisor, Catholics for Choice.

The Healthcare Providers Safety Act of 2025 is cosponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Andre Carson, Paul Tonko, Juan Vargas, Betty McCollum, Lloyd Doggett, Gerald E. Connolly, Sean Casten, Joyce Beatty, Rashida Tlaib, Nydia Velazquez, Mikie Sherrill, Eric Swalwell, Shontel Brown, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Adam Smith, Nikema Williams, Emilia Sykes, Kathy Castor, Norma Torres, Robin Kelly, Henry "Hank" Johnson, Janelle Bynum, Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Lizzie Fletcher, Nanette Barragán, Jahana Hayes, Pramila Jayapal, Salud Carbajal, Mark Pocan, Raul Grijalva, Suzanne Bonamici, Delia Ramirez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Steve Cohen, Yvette Clarke, Mike Quigley, Mark Takano, Jennifer McClellan, Joseph Morelle, Julia Brownley, Melanie Stansbury, Bill Keating, Yassamin Ansari, Bennie Thompson, Jan Schakowsky, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Jimmy Panetta, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Scott Peters, and Brad Schneider.

The bill is endorsed by Catholics for Choice, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Women's Law Center, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Abortion Federation, National Council of Jewish Women, and Reproductive Freedom for All.