Rep. Antonio Delgado Helps Introduce Legislation to Repeal Hyde Amendment, Ensure Equal Access to Reproductive Health Care Rights

Statement

U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) joined as an original cosponsor to the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act (EACH Woman Act), which ensures that all women -- regardless of their income level -- can make their own choices about their reproductive health care.

"Women have a Constitutional right in our country to make their own decisions about their health care, including abortion. But the Hyde Amendment effectively denies that right, so that only women who can afford to access their right to an abortion can do so," Delgado said. "Low-income women and women of color are disproportionately blocked from accessing their full reproductive health options because of the Hyde Amendment, and I'm glad to join with my colleagues in fighting for its repeal."

The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976, restricts abortion coverage for women enrolled in Medicaid. Since its passage, similar restrictions have extended to other government health insurance programs including Medicare and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as well as to women serving our country in the military. The EACH Woman Act repeals this amendment so that no woman is unfairly denied access to an abortion because she cannot afford it.

Delgado is a strong advocate for women's equality and affordable health care, and spoke out against the Administration's recent gag rule undermining Title X and threatening funding for Planned Parenthood. Delgado is a cosponsor of the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, that would ensure folks have access to paid leave when there's a new baby in the family or are dealing with a serious illness of their own or of a family member, as well as the Paycheck Fairness Act to address gender discrimination in the workplace.

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