For the second consecutive year, President Joe Biden failed to get Hyde to amend his proposed presidential budget in Congress for fiscal year 2023, fulfilling his promise to support reproductive health in a year when abortion rights.
The Hyde Amendment denies abortion insurance coverage to people receiving health coverage through government -funded plans such as Medicaid. The law disproportionately affects low-income women and people of color, prompting criticism from Democrats who argue that change is anti-choice and clearly racist.
“The presidential budgets are meant to reflect the values of the administration-and the Biden-Harris administration reiterates loudly and clearly that reproductive freedom and access to care is a priority for the administration,” Mini Timarajum said. , president of NARAL Pro- Choice America. In a statement released Tuesday after the administration announced the president’s budget.
Federal protection against abortion has been in place since 1973, following a Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, but the Hyde Amendment has been in effect since 1976 and has been updated annually since then. It prohibits all federal health insurance programs from covering abortions except rape, incest, or saving a mother’s life.
The budget proposal for fiscal year 2023 outlines the Biden administration’s political priorities and shows what it intends to do in the coming years. Congress will have the opportunity to consider and fully accept the proposal.
Although Biden explicitly excluded Hyde’s amendment from last year’s budget proposal, as did the Democratic-controlled House, the proposal is dead in the Senate. Earlier this month, Biden signed a $ 1.5 trillion cost bill that includes: Fixing the problem.
“We are grateful that @POTUS’ 2023 budget proposal is free of racist and discriminatory changes to #HydeAm, ”said MP Aiana Presley (D-Mass.) On Twitter On Wednesday. “Our struggle is to eradicate Hyde and ensure that reproductive justice continues, and Congress must pass legislation to make it a reality.
Not amending Hyde will have a huge impact on low-income people and poor people Studies in the United States show this At 14 Low -income women seeking abortion are forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to the end when lawmakers restrict the coverage of abortion under Medicaid. Studies also show this That a woman who refuses an abortion will fall into greater poverty than a woman who can have an abortion.
Biden’s proposed budget also includes $ 400 million for the Title X family planning program, $ 650 million for slightly increased family planning, and expanding Department of Health and Human Services funding to reduce new cases. of HIV. .
Planned Parenthood President and CEO Alex McGill Johnson responded to statements from Presley and NARAL. McGill Johnson said the country is at a critical time for access to abortion, 350 anti-abortion bills have been introduced in 41 states and there are ongoing attacks on birth control and other health care. reproductive. .
“Make no mistake, we are at a critical time in accessing sexual and reproductive health care,” McGill Johnson said. “The president’s budget is an important opportunity to emphasize the values of the administration and we are pleased that the budget demonstrates a commitment to expanding reproductive freedom. It is now the job of Congress to build on this commitment. We need to of health leaders in Congress to support national and global sexual and reproductive health priorities and rights through strong investment and necessary policy changes. The need is extreme ».
The federal right to abortion rests on the balance as the country awaits a decision on the Supreme Court case. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. A case devoted to a The Mississippi Act of 2018, which prohibits abortion for 15 weeksmaturity This is considered Before the court in December. Mississippi law directly opposes the ROE, which establishes the constitutional right to access abortion until the fetus is alive at approximately 24 weeks.
The Supreme Court decision could overturn Mississippi law, which means the roe will remain intact. But lawyers and experts agree that the court has a conservative majority underlined She is likely to comply with the law by directly banning abortion or shifting the safety line. A decision in the case is expected in the spring of this year.
When abortion advocates and opponents are both preparing for a decision, many abortion activists criticize Biden for avoiding the subject at such an irrevocable time. said Biden very small In abortion during the two years of his reign. His administration has taken some limited steps to protect abortions in the wake of these historic attacks, but the president has done so. The word “abortion” was never said In any of his oral remarks.
Defenders of abortion rights fear that the president’s skepticism could have serious consequences. “We need to hear from you, Mr. President, about this injustice, what your administration will do to end it and why our country needs to be given justice for the people who practice and provide abortion, “said 1,000 people. will abort. Written in an open letter To the President earlier this month.
So far, Biden has twice used the word “abortion” as president, but only in written notes. This is the first time 224 days Under his presidency when the White House announced the two Written Ads In Texas Six -week abortion ban. The second took place recently when she celebrated Women’s History Month in Written declarationIt recognizes that “the constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v.” She faces an unprecedented attack on Wade. “
Biden’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023 is now being passed in Congress.
Source: Huffpost
