Rep. Jayapal Denounces Passage of H.R. 7

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Pramila condemned the passage of H.R. 7, also called “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.”

“Just days after Americans took to the streets in solidarity with women across the globe, Republicans launched another assault on women’s health care,” said Rep. Jayapal. “Cementing a law that restricts abortion coverage for women of color and low-income women is bad enough, but restricting how women use their own money to purchase private comprehensive health care insurance is reprehensible.”

The so-called “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” codifies the Hyde amendment, permanently banning federal dollars, including Medicaid funding, for women who wish to purchase comprehensive health care plans that cover abortion – disproportionately harming women of color and low-income women. Additionally, this legislation imposes tax penalties on small businesses that choose private health plans that cover abortion. It bans coverage of abortion services for women insured by multi-state health plans under the Affordable Care Act.

“Make no mistake. This isn’t a health care issue. It’s part of an extreme, right-wing political agenda that puts women’s rights on the chopping block,” added Jayapal. “This bill creates even more barriers for women of color trying to access quality healthcare at a time when we should be focused on legislating equity, not codifying disparity. It is nothing more than politicians trying to control women’s bodies.”

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Issues: Health Care