There are lots of 48-year-olds that we love. Reese Witherspoon, Rashida Jones, Cillian Murphy. But the Hyde Amendment? I don’t know her…
Regrettably, after 48 years, we know the Hyde Amendment all too well. This week marks 48 years since Congress passed the Hyde Amendment. This is one anniversary that we do not celebrate with flowers, a party, or joy.
The Hyde Amendment restricts access to abortion coverage for those receiving their health insurance through the government. This includes those enrolled in Medicaid, federal employees, Indigenous Americans receiving care through Indian Health Services, and people serving in the military, among many others.
You may have heard people talk about Hyde like it is a permanent law, but it is not. We do not have to live like this! Hyde is a “rider” that must be renewed annually in the appropriations bill.
So, each year Congress chooses to push abortion care out of reach for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, young people, those living in rural areas, and people with low incomes—all of whom are more likely to rely on government-sponsored insurance because of systemic barriers and inequities.
Hyde’s Anniversary falls in the middle of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, making it important to note that Rosie Jimenez, a Chicana from McAllen, Texas, was the first person known to have died because of Hyde’s restrictions in 1977.
Rosie was a mother and college student just months shy of graduation when she realized she was pregnant. Because she was on Medicaid, Rosie was denied abortion care. Rosie could not afford to pay out of pocket, so she sought out affordable yet unsafe care, which ultimately led to her death.
The Hyde Amendment has done nothing but hurt people seeking abortion care for 48 years. The Hyde Amendment denies people the ability to make decisions about their reproductive future because of where they live and how much money they make. Abortions should not be singled out for exclusion or have additional burdens placed upon them.
We are so over the Hyde Amendment, plain and simple. And we are not the only ones. Getting rid of the Hyde Amendment is more popular than ever. The good news is that advocates have been working hard to kick out the Hyde Amendment and they are ready with bold, abortion positive policies to take its place.
For example, the EACH Act would replace the Hyde Amendment and eliminate the coverage bans that deny individuals access to abortion. Also, the Abortion Justice Act would build on EACH’s groundwork and do even more to affirm protections for abortion and address systematic barriers to care.
The Hyde Amendment is creeping toward half a century of blocking funds for essential, lifesaving, and everyday health care. If you want to learn how to keep Hyde from seeing anniversary number 49, stick around! We will keep you posted on how to stop harmful policies, like the Hyde Amendment, and how to uplift equal access to abortion for all.
Natasha Rappazzo
If/When/How Reproductive Justice Fellow