Joe Biden opposes discriminatory abortion rules for abortion

Hyde has greatly restricted abortion insurance for millions of low-income people participating in the federal health insurance program, creating a two-level access system.Advocates and legislators have called Hyde Discriminatory, Harmful and RacistBut for many years, due to voter support and anti-abortion shame, both the Democratic and Republican governments have supported this ban.

“We are very happy that President Biden has honored his campaign promises and submitted the budget without the Hyde amendment,” said co-chair Destiny Lopez. All* above all, A reproductive justice organization, led efforts to repeal the ban on abortion coverage. “For more than 40 years, the Hyde Amendment has refused to provide abortion insurance for people who make a living and work. Today will be the first time in decades that our president has submitted a budget without the Hyde Amendment.”

Advocates of reproductive rights and justice have long pointed out that the right to abortion is only a nominal right. Restrictions like Hyde often create insurmountable barriers to abortion, while perpetuating racial and economic inequality. Two problems with Biden’s campaign. Black, latino with LGBTQ People are very likely to have low incomes and get insurance through Medicaid, thus facing insurance bans.

The cost of an abortion at 10 weeks of pregnancy is Average $550And the cost increases as the pregnancy progresses.People face other costs, including unpaid leave and childcare, because most people who seek abortion Already a parent, And travel expenses. Low-income people may need time to raise funds because their insurance does not cover abortion, and they may fall into a cruel cycle as the operation becomes more expensive and even approaches the pregnancy limit in their state.

Taken together, Hyde’s role is De facto abortion ban For many. The 2009 literature review estimated that One in four women If their insurance covers restricted Medicaid, they will be able to have an abortion but will be forced to take the pregnancy to term.A kind Study in 2019 Louisiana has reached a similar conclusion.The women who were refused abortion were More likely to experience poverty According to a 2018 study, it was six months and four years later than those who had an abortion.

A 2019 poll commissioned by All* Above All found that Six out of ten Registered voters believe that Medicaid should cover abortion services like other pregnancy-related care. Lopez said that ending Hyde is fully in line with Biden’s stated priorities for racial equality and economic security. She said: “The president and the government understand that the first to bear the brunt of this pandemic and the first to bear the brunt of this nationwide racial justice liquidation are those who have been harmed by Hyde.”

Executive Director Armani Hernandez said Friday’s budget was historic. National Abortion Fund Network, A membership organization of mutual aid groups that helps people pay for abortions and coordinate travel. “For many years, blacks, aboriginals and people of color have been organizing, emphasizing the injustice of abortion that is disproportionately on their shoulders. Today they are finally heard,” Hernandez.

in spite of 16 states In 2019, we will use our own funds to pay the abortion costs of Medicaid participants, 7.7 million women of childbearing age Live with Medicaid in 34 states that prohibit abortion insurance and Washington, DC. Among the women who have been banned, 51% Are women of color.This move has less impact on China 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid Because if there is no higher income threshold, it is more difficult for low-income adults without children to qualify for the program.

Biden’s budget also lifted the ban on abortion insurance for low-income residents in Washington, DC. As of press time, it is not clear whether the budget includes other restrictions similar to Hyde, which restrict persons with disabilities who are insured through Medicare, as well as federal employees, military personnel, Native Americans using Indian Medical Services (IHS), and Peace Corps volunteers. , People detained in federal prisons, and. In fiscal year 2015, federal funds covered Only 160 abortions.

Since 1976, Hyde has passed Since 1993 One president issued a budget without Hyde, despite the efforts of President Bill Clinton failure house.The abolition of Hyde is the Democratic Party’s platform For the first time in 2016 And in the 2020 cycle, Biden is the last The Democratic presidential candidate supports its repeal.After being criticized in June 2019, Biden changed his long-standing support and Say“I cannot justify preventing millions of women from getting the care and abilities they need…to exercise their rights protected by the Constitution.”

Supporters of the abolition of Hyde very worried Biden may not fulfill his campaign promises, especially because he hasn’t fulfilled Even said “abortion”Proponents say this is an important expression of support at a critical moment: Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case concerning the 15-week ban in Mississippi. Directly challenge Luo v. Wade, The case of legalizing abortion in 1973.

Biden’s move may be Mostly symbolic, Although it is an important behavior for advocates. The president’s budget proposal is non-binding, and the final version is prepared by Congress and sent to his desk. Rosa DeLauro, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee swear Hyde is not included in future House spending bills, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took this move. stand by. If the budget passes the House of Representatives, it will face a 50-50 Senate, several of which Centrist Democratic senator who supports HydeSenator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, and Tim Kane of Virginia all voted to include Hyde in the Covid-19 relief bill passed in March, but ultimately failed.

“Like many progressive issues, the Senate is more challenging,” Lopez said, adding: “We will do it. It is important to let go of these signs of support, because the leader of our party wants to let go of his support. A sign of abortion justice, he supports the lifting of the ban on abortion coverage.”

In addition, the House of Representatives has introduced legislation called Every scene This will permanently repeal the Hyde Amendment and remove it from the annual budget process.Vice President Kamala Harris Co-sponsored When the bill was first introduced in 2019.