Jack Parkos | @j.ackp
A bloc of female democrats has introduced the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Woman Act. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Patty Murray introduced the Senate’s version of the bill as well. The bills primary aim is to repeal the Hyde amendment.
What Does This Bill Entail?
This bill was originally introduced in 2017 under the same name but has now been reintroduced. The bill suggested that “No woman should have the decision to have, or not to have, an abortion made for her based on her ability or inability to afford the procedure.” and calls for the federal government to “ensure coverage for abortion care.” Furthermore, it said that state and local governments could not restrict abortion coverage. This is a clear violation of the Tenth Amendment which states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”.
The Hyde Amendment
The EACH Woman Act also aims to repeal the Hyde Amendment. This law prevents the use of federal funds for abortion, with the exception of cases where the mother’s life is in danger. However, with the largest provider of abortion services Planned Parenthood receiving 500 million in federal funding each year, there have been questions as to how well this law has been followed.
But this new bill proposed by the Democrats would clear the air. If EACH passes, pro-lifers will have to pay for the abortions they oppose to greatly. Repealing the Hyde Amendment was part of the Democrat Party’s 2016 platform.
In 2017 the Republican-controlled Senate attempted to pass a bill that would make the Hyde Amendment permanent, as stated by former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. However, the bill died in the Senate.
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