No Abortion Ban
“Some in Congress don’t want federal money going to fund abortions. I don’t want MY tax dollars spent on _________.”
The Campaign
We've heard over and over during the healthcare reform debate that not a single penny of federal tax dollars can be used to fund abortions — a procedure that one in three women will get in their lifetimes.
And yet, there are a number of federally funded projects that people do not support when compared to the widespread support for providing women with access to reproductive services.
We asked people across the country why they think Congress's priorities are all wrong when it comes to how tax dollars are spent, and they sent their answers in video rants. See how a few prominent bloggers helped us get the conversation going here, then see how the masses responded to our video request.
Healthcare Reform and the Hyde Amendment
Since 1976, the Hyde Amendment has been used to ban the federal government from spending money on abortion. Now the Stupak and Nelson amendments are trying to expand Hyde into the private insurance marketplace for the first time ever.
Because of Hyde, women who rely on Medicaid cannot get an abortion in most circumstances — even if her health is jeopardized by her pregnancy — unless she is able to cover the entire cost out-of-pocket. Similar restrictions have been imposed on women who rely on the health benefits provided to federal employees, military personnel and their dependents, women served by the Indian Health Service, Peace Corps volunteers, Medicare enrollees and women in federal prisons.
The members of Congress who want to strip abortion coverage from healthcare always cite the Hyde Amendment in arguing that current law on abortion is fair. The impact of Hyde will actually be hugely expanded when the healthcare bill adds millions more women and families to Medicaid. This sorry status quo isn’t fair at all.
Get the Facts
Healthcare Reform in Hyde Amendment's Shadow >
Portrait of Injustice: Abortion Coverage under the Medicaid Program >
Center Calls on Obama to Strike Down Hyde on Roe Anniversary >
End Funding Restrictions on Abortion >
