Congresswoman Lee Introduces Groundbreaking Women’s Health Bill
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Congresswoman Diana DeGette, led a group of 70 Democrats in introducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act or the EACH Woman Act.
The bill would ensure health coverage of abortion for every woman regardless of her income, how she is insured or where she lives. In essence the bill would end the harmful Hyde Amendment policies that restrict a woman’s ability to make the best healthcare decisions for herself and her family.
“Each and every day, the rights of women are under attack in America – today, we push back because every person has a right to healthcare. The EACH Woman Act is a bold and groundbreaking step forward. This legislation would ensure that every woman can access ALL of her healthcare options, regardless of how much money she earns or where she lives,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13). “Regardless of how someone personally feels about abortion, none of us, especially elected officials, should be interfering with a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions just because she is poor.”
“I am proud to co-lead the EACH Woman Act because it is time for us to go on offense to ensure every woman has access to abortion services. All women, no matter their income level, what state they live in or what health insurance plan they have, should have access to the full range of reproductive health services,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). “Each woman should be treated fairly, and this Act will help achieve that reality.”
“We are done playing defense against attacks on women’s health,” said Congresswoman DeGette (CO-01). “Today’s introduction of the EACH Woman Act marks the first step in our march towards the day when each and every woman can make her own decisions about pregnancy.”
A newly released poll, conducted by Hart Research, found that eighty-six percent of voters agreed that “however we feel about abortion, politicians should not be allowed to deny a woman’s health coverage because she is poor.” Support was strong across age ranges and the statement won the support of 79 percent of Republican surveyed.
More than half of those surveyed expressed support for a bill similar to the EACH Woman Act. Additional information about the poll is available here.
The bill has already won the support of 33 national and state organizations.
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.