Congresswoman Lee Reintroduces the EACH Woman Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, along with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, and Congresswoman Diana DeGette, led a group of 104 Democrats in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act or the EACH Woman Act.
This legislation would end the discriminatory Hyde Amendment, which disproportionately affects low-income women and women of color. The EACH Woman Act would ensure that all women, regardless of income, insurance or zip code, can make personal reproductive health care decisions without interference from politicians.
“The EACH Woman Act is a bold and defiant step forward. At a time when Congressional Republicans, led by President Donald Trump, are trying to roll back basic reproductive freedoms, our diverse coalition is standing up for women and families. My legislation would ensure that every woman can make the decision that is right for herself and her family, regardless of her income or where she lives,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13). “Politicians don’t belong in the exam room, plain and simple. I want to thank our vibrant reproductive rights coalition for leading this fight across the country.”
“I’m proud to be re-introducing the EACH Woman Act with Congressman Barbara Lee because every woman deserves the right to make her own health care decisions regardless of her income, where she works, or where she gets her insurance,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). “The Hyde Amendment doesn’t just impact low-income women who rely on Medicaid for their insurance coverage. It denies abortion coverage to anyone receiving federally-subsidized insurance, women in the military, federal employees, women who get health care through the Indian Health Service, women who live in the District of Columbia, women in the Peace Corps, and others. With the EACH Woman Act, we are finally saying ‘enough is enough.’”
"The Hyde Amendment has been around for four decades, and that’s 40 years too long. Constitutional rights don’t belong to the wealthy or the privileged few. They should be accessible to every single American. That’s why I hope we can pass this bill to finally end this discriminatory policy so that all women can decide their own future, regardless of where they get their insurance,” said Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-25).
“No matter what's going on in Washington, I will never stop fighting to protect women's rights and access to care. The Hyde Amendment's sole purpose is to deny poor women coverage of comprehensive reproductive health services,” said Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01). “The EACH Woman Act would finally end this cruel policy. Enough is enough. The women of America are tired of politicians trying to regulate their bodies and personal decisions.”
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