Planned Parenthood Denounces The Hyde Amendment — Which is Harmful and Out of Touch With American Voters

New Poll Reveals that Majority of National Voters Support Medicaid Coverage For Abortion

New York, NY — Today marks 43 years since lawmakers passed the Hyde Amendment — a law that prohibits federal funding for abortion. Overall, the Hyde Amendment blocks people with low-incomes and people of color from being able to access reproductive health care. It affects Medicaid recipients, and anyone who relies on the government for federally-funded health care insurance — 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.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, Acting President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“The Hyde Amendment — in all its forms — is a dangerous and harmful policy that discriminates against people who rely on Medicaid for their health care coverage, prohibiting them from using their insurance to access safe, legal abortion. The fact is, in this country systemic, racial discrimination is deeply tied to how much money you’re able to make, and as a result many of the people who rely on Medicaid are people of color. A ban on Medicaid coverage of abortion is an abortion ban. With Hyde still in place, access to safe and legal abortion will continue to be inaccessible for many people of color, young people, and people with low incomes. Planned Parenthood strongly opposes the Hyde Amendment, and we will continue to work with our legislative champions and reproductive justice partners so that everyone is able to access safe, legal abortion.”

Today, All Above All, an organization that focuses on lifting bans that prevent abortion coverage, released a national poll that highlights how the majority of voters — particularly in battleground districts — support federal funding for reproductive health care, including abortion. The poll was conducted by Hart Research Associates, and concludes that the Hyde Amendment is counter to voters support of federal coverage for abortion, which has increased over the years.

Poll highlights:

• African-American voters, Hispanic voters, Latinx voters, and voters in battleground districts express the highest level of concern for abortion restrictions — which are more likely to fall on women with low-incomes, women of color, and immigrants.
• Nationally, 62 percent  of voters favor Medicaid coverage of abortion services, which has increased by seven points since 2017.
• Support for Medicaid coverage of abortion services is even stronger in the battleground congressional districts at 69 percent.
• Majority of men, women, and voters of all ages and education levels favor Medicaid coverage of abortion services.
• 73 percent of African-American voters, 70 percent of Latinx voters, 67 percent of young voters, 66 percent of independent women, and 67 percent of suburban women (67 percent nationally and 73 percent in battleground congressional districts) support Medicaid coverage of abortion at even higher rates.

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.