Center for Reproductive Rights Statement on the Commencement of Confirmation Hearings on Alex Azar as HHS Secretary

(PRESS RELEASE) Today, the Senate began its confirmation hearings on Alex Azar for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), President Trump’s choice to fill a post vacated by Tom Price, who resigned following an allegation of his misuse of taxpayer money. Said Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights: “Anyone the Senate confirms as HHS Secretary must be committed to protecting high quality, nondiscriminatory health care services for everyone, including women. “President Trump’s Administration has made it a top priority to curtail women’s access to health care, in particular reproductive health care. From attempting to dismantle key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including the contraceptive coverage benefit, to pushing limits on abortion coverage, this presidency has targeted women’s autonomy and rights in a clear and consistent manner. “Mr. Azar has yet to express a clear commitment to women’s health and has aligned himself with the Administration’s anti-women’s health agenda – going so far as to agree that employers can impose their personal beliefs on employees’ access to health care, including contraception. “This is concerning, and we encourage the Senate to continue with  a rigorous vetting on Trump’s latest nominee to ensure he is committed to protecting the health care of all Americans.”

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