Dear John,

Millions are on the brink of seeing the costs of their health insurance skyrocket if Congress fails to extend the ACA tax credits due to expire Dec. 31st. Now, Republicans are seeking to use the debate over the tax credits to pursue what Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has warned is a “national backdoor abortion ban” by expanding the scope of the Hyde Amendment.

Since 1977, the Hyde Amendment has prohibited the use of federal funds for abortion except under limited exceptions for cases where the life of the woman is in danger, or in cases of rape or incest. But opponents of abortion in Congress want to prohibit ACA marketplace plans from covering abortion even in states where abortion remains legal. This means that even if a state requires insurance plans to cover abortion, and uses its own funds to do so, federal law would block it. Private insurance plans sold through the ACA marketplace would also be impacted. A vote on the issue is set for next week. 

And as we reported this week, the Trump Administration’s pardoning of antiabortion extremists and refusal to enforce the Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act is emboldening antiabortion organizing across the U.S. In Memphis, Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry is launching a new facility that will serve as the location of a training camp. Terry is teaming up with antiabortion extremist group PAAU to kick off “Rescue Resurrection,” a series of trainings and events starting this week. As Teresa Cisneros Burton and Lizbeth Sanchez reported, “their stated goal is to revive large-scale clinic blockades,” a strategy employed extensively by Operation Rescue in the late 1980s and early ’90s. 

In other health news, we’re also keeping an eye on the dangerous and deadly vaccine recommendations coming out of RFK Jr.’s handpicked Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which Friday moved to eliminate the universal recommendation of hepatitis B vaccines at birth. The Committee is set to “question how pediatricians inoculate children against more than a dozen other infectious diseases, including measles, mumps, whooping cough and polio,” per NPR. Public health experts expressed fear that the rollback of vaccine requirements will result in a resurgence of many preventable diseases—with deadly consequences. Former FDA officials and physicians organizations are urging parents to talk with their pediatricians in making these life-and-death health decisions.

The ongoing attacks on the healthcare system extend beyond the CDC. This week the Department of Education proposed reclassifying all graduate nursing degrees as “non-professional”—a move that will strip away access to loans for students in a profession dominated by women. This includes students in programs training nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthesists—the advanced practice roles that keep rural, poor and underserved communities alive. The message behind the policy is unmistakable: Women’s knowledge is not worth investing in. Their labor is not worth rewarding.

Whether it’s through flashy policy changes that draw headlines, or quieter bureaucratic shifts and provisions tacked on to spending bills that largely go unnoticed, the Trump Administration is making the U.S. a more dangerous place for women and children. We cannot afford to look away or be silent. Too many lives depend on it. 

For equality,

Kathy Spillar

Executive Editor

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In July, the Justice Department released a controversial report about Jeffrey Epstein. Now with the release of over 23,000 files associated with Epstein, questions are being raised about the scope and scale of this sex trafficking ring and its connections to power. The House Oversight Committee has yet to hear testimony from Epstein survivors, despite urging by Rep. Ayanna Presley and others. In this episode, Dr. Goodwin is joined by journalist Moira Donegan to discuss the implications of the files, and what needs to be done in order for his victims to receive justice.

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U.S. democracy is at a dangerous inflection point—from the demise of abortion rights, to a lack of pay equity and parental leave, to skyrocketing maternal mortality, and attacks on trans health. Left unchecked, these crises will lead to wider gaps in political participation and representation. For over 50 years, Ms. has been forging feminist journalism—reporting, rebelling and truth-telling from the front-lines, championing the Equal Rights Amendment, and centering the stories of those most impacted. With all that’s at stake for equality, we are redoubling our commitment for the next 50 years. In turn, we need your help, Support Ms. today with a donation—any amount that is meaningful to you. We are grateful for your loyalty and ferocity.

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