Bill Overview
Title: HHS Reproductive and Sexual Health Ombuds Act of 2022
Description: This bill creates a position within the Department of Health and Human Services to support access to reproductive and sexual health services (including services relating to pregnancy and the termination of a pregnancy) that are evidence-based and medically accurate.
Sponsors: Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Target Audience
Population: People in need of reproductive and sexual health services
Estimated Size: 110000000
- The bill aims to improve access to reproductive and sexual health services.
- These services include services relating to pregnancy and termination of pregnancies, thus affecting individuals who may seek these services.
- The bill establishes an ombudsman in the Department of Health and Human Services, which broadly caters to the US population.
- Reproductive and sexual health services can impact a wide range of individuals, including those of reproductive age, individuals seeking information on sexual health, and professionals engaged in providing these services.
Reasoning
- The budget restrictions necessitate that the policy will not cover the entire target population, but a reasonable program can focus on areas of high need and under-service.
- The population includes people of reproductive age, but not all will be seeking reproductive health services in any given year.
- The target population includes women, men, and non-binary individuals since sexual health services are relevant across these groups.
- Since the policy focus is on evidence-based services, there will likely be an emphasis on underserved areas, potentially increasing the average effectiveness and reach of the ombudsman's role.
- The varied demographics must include people who will not be directly impacted but are in the target population to paint an accurate picture.
Simulated Interviews
College Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's crucial to have reliable access to reproductive services. An ombudsman can help cut through bureaucracy and ensure we get accurate information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Nurse (Des Moines, IA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- When people come to our clinic, they need clear, accurate information. This policy could really help us serve them better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Software Developer (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We had a hard time finding the right information during our pregnancy journey. This kind of service could simplify things for lots of families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Reproductive Health Specialist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This ombudsman could bridge gaps in access and improve service quality across different communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Alabama)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rural areas don't have great healthcare access; maybe this could help folks here get better information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Artist (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Inclusive and accurate health information is so important for everyone, especially marginalized groups. This policy sounds like a great step.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Entrepreneur (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing family and work is hard. Knowing there's reliable health information helps reduce some stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (Seattle, WA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I might not use these services myself, but ensuring everyone has access to correct information is vital to public health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Social Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ombudsman could be key in improving how community health centers serve vulnerable populations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Sales Manager (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With teenagers at home, I appreciate any policy that ensures they're getting the right information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $10500000 (Low: $8400000, High: $12600000)
Year 3: $11025000 (Low: $8820000, High: $13260000)
Year 5: $12155000 (Low: $9724000, High: $14586000)
Year 10: $14853600 (Low: $11882880, High: $17824320)
Year 100: $26919172 (Low: $21535337, High: $32303006)
Key Considerations
- The size and scale of the administrative setup required for the ombudsman role within HHS.
- The geographic and demographic reach of the services and their correlation with access to reproductive healthcare.
- Potential overlap or integration with existing HHS programs.