Planned Parenthood Federation of America Decries Hyde Amendment on 44th Anniversary, Calls for Its End
For Immediate Release: Sept. 30, 2020
WASHINGTON, DC - For over four decades, the Hyde Amendment has blocked federal Medicaid funding for abortion services, meaning Medicaid cannot cover abortion. In this country, because of systemic racism and the discrimination built into our health care system, the Hyde Amendment disproportionately affects people of color from being able to access reproductive health care. This policy was later expanded to impact not only people with Medicaid, but anyone who relies on federally-funded health care or care coverage — creating a greater divide between those who can access health care and those who experience barriers to accessing health care. The Hyde Amendment is unethical, and contributes to a world in which bodily autonomy and access to health care depends on one’s income, and inextricably, race. Today, the 44th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson issued the following statement.
Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
“The Hyde Amendment is a dangerous and discriminatory policy that disproportionately hurts people with lower incomes by prohibiting them from using their Medicaid insurance to access safe, legal abortion. Its continued existence is a symptom of the same systemic racism that has driven millions to protest over the past several months and worsened health outcomes for Black and Latino communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a country where 77% of people do not want to see Roe overturned and a majority think Medicaid should cover abortion, support for ending Hyde is at an all-time high. Planned Parenthood will continue to work with our legislative champions and reproductive justice partners – who have always led this fight – to ensure that Hyde never sees another anniversary and is abolished for good so that all people have access to affordable abortion with dignity.”
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.