# Plain Language Summary: Resolution on Health Care Criminalization

This is a resolution expressing opposition to making certain health care practices illegal. Specifically, it states that Congress opposes the criminalization of sexual and reproductive health care, which includes abortion services, gender-affirming medical care (like hormone therapy or surgeries for transgender individuals), and access to contraception like birth control. The resolution also disapproves of criminalizing pregnancy outcomes—meaning it opposes making it illegal when pregnancies end naturally (miscarriage) or through other circumstances.

To be clear, this is a resolution expressing the position of Congress rather than a law that would change what's currently legal or illegal. Resolutions are statements of opinion or intent, not binding legislation. So this resolution doesn't actually change any laws or create new legal protections. Instead, it's a formal statement saying that certain members of Congress believe these types of health care should not be treated as crimes.

The practical impact depends on where you live and what laws your state has already passed. In states that have criminalized abortion or restricted gender-affirming care, this federal resolution wouldn't override those state laws. However, it does signal the position of Congress on these issues and could influence future legislative efforts at the federal level. For people in states with restrictions on reproductive or gender-affirming care, this resolution represents support from some federal lawmakers, but it wouldn't immediately change what medical care is available to them or what doctors can legally provide.

Expressing opposition to the criminalization of essential health care, including the full range of sexual and reproductive health care such as abortion, gender-affirming care, and contraceptive care, and disapproving of the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes.

Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

 <p>This concurrent resolution expresses opposition to the application of criminal laws to pregnancy outcomes and affirms that people deserve access to high-quality health care without fear of reprisal or punishment.</p>