Spanish Government Approves Urgent Decree Regulating Abortion Information and Clinical Committees

• The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved the urgent processing of a new royal decree to regulate information requirements and clinical committees for voluntary interruption of pregnancy (IVE).
• The regulation aims to ensure all women, regardless of their location, receive accurate, clear, and objective information to make informed decisions.

Mandatory vs. Voluntary Information

• Mandatory information: Must be provided in all cases, including the nature of the procedure, available surgical and pharmacological methods, accredited public and private centers, and rights during the process.
• Voluntary information: Includes advice on contraception, safe sex, public aid, and labor rights; this is only provided upon request and is not a prerequisite for obtaining an abortion.
• Standards: Information must be accessible and tailored to the needs of minors, foreign nationals, and individuals with disabilities.

Clinical Committee Reform

• Composition: Committee members must represent a gender-balanced presence for both titular and substitute roles.
• Eligibility: Healthcare professionals who are currently registered as conscientious objectors, or have been in the last three years, are prohibited from serving on these committees.
• Reporting: Decisions must be issued in writing, documenting the diagnosis, examinations performed, clinical evaluation, and clinical reasoning, which must be communicated to the patient in a clear and understandable manner.