House of Representatives Votes to Deny Women Insurance Coverage of Abortion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 24, 2017
Contact: Christie Petrone, 646-520-3504, [email protected]

Statement from National Institute for Reproductive Health President Andrea Miller:

“Today the House of Representatives passed H.R.7, legislation that would make permanent the disastrous policy of the Hyde Amendment, which already bans insurance coverage for abortion for women enrolled in Medicaid and other federal health insurance plans. H.R.7 interferes with women’s ability to make their own reproductive health care decisions and disproportionately punishes those who need access to health care most: low-income families, young people, and women of color.

“Already, too many women are denied abortion coverage because of their economic status, as the current Hyde Amendment bans insurance coverage for abortion for women enrolled in Medicaid. These restrictions currently force one in four poor women seeking abortion to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term.

“The first few days of this administration have seen attempt after attempt to push abortion out of reach — and we’ve also seen an unprecedented surge in resistance to the racist, misogynist, anti-choice agenda. We urge Congress to vote with the majority of people, and against bans on coverage for abortion. Congress should instead pass the EACH Woman Act, so that each of us is able to make decisions about abortion with dignity and respect, and without government interference.”

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The National Institute for Reproductive Health works across the country to increase access to reproductive health care by changing public policy, galvanizing public support, and normalizing women’s decisions to have abortions and use contraception.