Today, the United States Senate, led by Senators Tammy Duckworth, Patty Murray, and Mazie Hirono, reintroduced the EACH Act.
President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in Washington DC Dr. Jamila Perritt responds:
“The EACH Act is an example of the bold legislation we need to make progress towards abortion justice in communities across the country. This groundbreaking legislation to end the Hyde Amendment and related abortion coverage restrictions would lead to countless individuals finally being able to access insurance coverage for their abortion care no matter how much money they make.
“For decades, the Hyde Amendment and similar spending riders have inequitably impacted people who are reliant on federally supported insurance programs to cover their health care costs including recipients of Medicaid, veterans, service people and their dependents using Tricare, people accessing health care at the Indian Health Services, federal government workers, Peace Corps volunteers, and people in federal incarceration centers and detention facilities. This is not a small number of people.
We believe in a world where no matter who you are, you can get the abortion care you need without financial barrier or burden.
“Access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion care, is a fundamental human right. We deserve better. We deserve more than the current reality where abortion coverage is based on how much money you earn, where you live, and how you get insurance. We believe in a world where no matter who you are, you can get the abortion care you need without financial barrier or burden. We urge Congress to take urgent action in passing the EACH Act, especially as we continue to see the ripple effects of the abortion bans enacted in the wake of last year’s Dobbs decision.”