NARAL Pro-Choice America
_____________________________
John—
Our budgets are a reflection of our priorities.
As Congress votes on the federal budget for the next year, we must
challenge our representatives to actively oppose the inclusion of a racist
and discriminatory insurance coverage ban, known as the Hyde Amendment,
that effectively bars access to abortion care for millions of Americans,
disproportionately harming low income women and women of color.
Here’s the good news: We have a leader in Congress who is ready to fight
for a budget that prioritizes equality, justice, the health and wellbeing
of our communities, and the freedom to choose whether, when, and with whom
to have a child. Representative Ayanna Pressley, with Reps. Barbara Lee,
Jan Schakowsky, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is leading the charge to
make abortion care accessible for every body by introducing an amendment
to strike this abortion coverage ban from our federal budget for 2021.
NARAL Pro-Choice America is proud to join with Rep. Pressley and partners
across the reproductive health, rights, and justice movements to call for
an end to abortion coverage bans. [ [link removed] ]We can build the future we deserve —
with enough determination, with enough belief in ourselves and our cause.
Will you join the chorus of voices demanding Congress end Hyde now?
If you’re looking for more background on what exactly Rep. Pressley is
trying to end, you’re in luck! Read on to hear my answers to 5 of the most
common questions I get asked about the Hyde Amendment.
Thank you for being in this fight with us,
[2]Photo of Kate Ryan
Kate Ryan
Government Relations Director, NARAL Pro-Choice America
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is the Hyde Amendment?
The Hyde Amendment (and related restrictions) is a discriminatory federal
policy that bans abortion services and insurance coverage in
government-administered health-care programs except in very limited cases.
This far-reaching policy affects many programs, such as Medicaid, the
Indian Health Service, Federal Employees Health Benefits, Tricare, and
more, resulting in millions of people being denied insurance coverage for
the abortion care they need.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who does this affect most?
These bans on coverage for abortion care affect Medicaid recipients, U.S.
service members and veterans, Native Americans, Peace Corps volunteers,
federal employees, and others. These anti-choice restrictions
disproportionately harm people of color and people who are struggling to
make ends meet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is the Hyde Amendment discriminatory?
Yes! Representative Henry Hyde, the original sponsor of the amendment in
1976, wanted to block all access to abortion, but at the time could only
restrict access for Medicaid recipients. “I certainly would like to
prevent, if I could legally, anybody having an abortion, a rich woman, a
middle-class woman, or a poor woman,” he said. “Unfortunately, the only
vehicle available is... the Medicaid bill.”^1 Because people of color make
up 59% of Medicaid recipients, his dream has now become a racist
reality.^2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you tell me more about what Rep. Pressley is doing?
Rep. Pressley has filed an amendment to the Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill
removing the abortion coverage ban from the bill, stating:
Let me be clear, discriminatory abortion bans like the Hyde Amendment
are blatantly racist and perpetuate systems of oppression and white
supremacy that target people of color — especially Black people — and
their bodily autonomy.
This first ever pro-choice majority in the House of Representatives has
a mandate and a responsibility to stand up for reproductive rights and
justice for all, not just those who can afford it.^3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
So what can we do?
The LLHS funding bill could go to the floor for a vote as soon as Monday —
meaning we need to get loud now. [ [link removed] ]Add your name to call on Congress to
end the Hyde Amendment and other racist abortion coverage bans.
And if you haven't already donated to support NARAL in the fight to ensure
reproductive freedom is for every body, everywhere — no matter where you
live or how much money you make — [ [link removed] ]you can pitch in here!
[ [link removed] ]DONATE NOW
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
1. [ [link removed] ]The Hyde Amendment Denies Women Health Care. Yes, Abortion Is
Health Care, TIME, Aug. 23, 2019.
2. [ [link removed] ]Distribution of the Nonelderly with Medicaid by Race/Ethnicity,
KFF, 2018.
3. [ [link removed] ]Rep. Pressley Statement on Inclusion of Hyde Amendment in Labor-HHS
Appropriations Bill, House.gov, Jul. 6, 2020.
_____________________________
This message was sent to:
[email protected] | If you'd like to sign up for emails in a different account, [link removed]
If we need to update your contact information, please [link removed]
We believe that emails are a crucial way for NARAL to stay in touch with supporters. However, if you'd like to unsubscribe, go to [link removed]
Copyright 2020 NARAL Pro-Choice America. 1725 Eye St, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006 All rights reserved.
