Supreme Court Fallout: Fed Official Supports Choice In Portland Visit

PORTLAND, OR — Just days after a leaked draft decision indicated that the United States Supreme Court appears ready to overturn Roe v. Wade, which guarantees a woman's right to an abortion, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra visited Portland to show support for keeping abortion legal.

"Patients make their own decisions about their own bodies," Becerra said during the trip, which involved a meeting with the leaders of Planned Parenthood chapters in Oregon as well as Rep. Kurt Schrader who represents Clackamas County in the U.S. House of Representatives. "That's their right.

"I strongly believe in protecting and promoting access to health care. that includes sexual and reproductive health care, and that includes safe and legal abortion. Abortion remains legal today and patients can access care."

Becerra warned that the right for women to access health care is under attack.

"The laws we have seen coming out of states that deny care are dangerous," Becerra, the former California Attorney General said.