Pro-Choice Caucus Re-Introduces EACH Act

Representatives from the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, including U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), held a press conference in Washington this week to announce the re-introduction of the EACH act. The EACH act, or the Equal Access to Abortion Act, would repeal the Hyde Amendment’s ban on abortion care coverage for Medicaid beneficiaries.

The Hyde Amendment, introduced to congress in 1977 by Rep. Henry J. Hyde, “prohibits covered funds to be expended for any abortion or to provide health benefits coverage that includes abortion,” with the exceptions of life-saving abortions, or in the case of rape or incest. For millions of Americans with Medicaid coverage, this means abortions are not covered under their health insurance, a blockade that for many low-income people proves impassable.

“Democrats are legislating, organizing, mobilizing like lives depend on it because they do,” says Rep. Pressley during the press conference Thursday morning. “The Hyde Amendment is racist, and discriminatory. Period. Full stop.”

Pro-choice advocates have called the Hyde Amendment racially discriminatory, as it disproportionately affects BIPOC, who make up 60% of those covered by Medicaid, according to reports released by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Since its inception, one in four people on Medicaid were unable to access reproductive health care due to the Hyde Amendment. 

Members of the Pro-Choice Caucus noted that H.R. 7, a bill that would codify the Hyde Amendment, was pulled from the Senate floor this week. Members also highlighted that this is the first time in history that a majority of congress has been pro-choice, a representation that reflects the opinion of a majority of Americans as well. Currently, the EACH act has over 160 House Democrats joining as original co-sponsors.

“Access to health care, including abortion, should not depend on how you pay for your health insurance,” says Rep. Diana DeGette. “Twenty percent of women in this country, who are of reproductive age, are on Medicaid. For over 40 years, because of the Hyde Amendment, people who are on Medicaid have not been able to access the health services they need.”

Since the Supreme Court Dobbs ruling, which overturned Roe v. Wade, pro-choice advocates have ramped up efforts to protect reproductive rights. With public opinion and congressional majority both leaning in favor of the right to choose, the EACH act has more of a chance to pass through congress now more than ever.