House Subcommittee to Hear Testimony on Latest Attack on Reproductive Health Care Coverage
HR 7 would eliminate insurance coverage of abortion, disproportionately harming low-income women all across the country
(PRESS RELEASE) Today the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice of the House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on HR 7, the so-called “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” the true purpose of which is to deny insurance coverage of abortion care to millions of women in the U.S.—and the effect of which would be felt disproportionately by women hit hardest by difficult economic circumstances.
Said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:
“This bill is as callous as it is cynical, denying insurance coverage of critical health care to millions of women across the U.S. and worsening especially the hardship of women already struggling under challenging economic conditions.
“Women’s health care, including abortion, must not be singled out for differential treatment from other medical services and procedures, and no woman should be denied essential care because of her income or economic status.
“It’s time for politicians in Congress to end these relentless attacks on women’s rights and health.”
This bill would permanently ban abortion coverage for millions of women, including federal employees, women enrolled in Medicaid, military servicewomen, Peace Corps volunteers and many others who receive health care and insurance coverage through the federal government.
Furthermore, H.R. 7 seeks to ban abortion coverage for women purchasing private plans through state health insurance marketplaces. The bill would also levy new tax penalties on individuals and small businesses designed to make abortion coverage unavailable in private plans and make it harder for women to use their own money to pay for an abortion. Finally, H.R. 7 would ban federal health facilities, including health care centers on military bases, from offering abortion services.
