by Maya Weinstein
The Hyde Amendment is about to turn 40, but this is not a happy birthday. Passed in 1976 as a budget rider and renewed each year since, the Hyde Amendment excludes abortion services from comprehensive federally-administered health care plans. There are currently narrow and rare exceptions that allow for abortion coverage if the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest, or when the woman’s life is gravely endangered. Thus, the Hyde Amendment disproportionately impacts low-income women and women of color who depend on federal health insurance plans such as Medicaid, Indian Health Services, and TRICARE – nationally, one in ten women rely on Medicaid.Restrictions on access to funding cause women to turn to riskier, later-term abortions, paid for using money that was intended to cover necessities such as housing costs and food.
All life is sacred in Judaism. Although an unborn fetus is precious and to be protected, Judaism views the life and well-being of the woman as paramount, placing a higher value on existing life than on potential life. Women are commanded to care for their own health and well-being; therefore, there are several instances when Judaism not only condones abortions, but they are mandated.
Reform Judaism has continued to renew commitment to reproductive health and opposition to governmental interference in women’s health decisions. In 1975, the URJ passed a resolution stating, “We oppose those riders and amendments to other bills aimed at halting Medicaid, legal counseling, and family services in abortion-related activities.”
All Above All is leading the United for Abortion Coverage Week of Action (September 26-30) to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Hyde Amendment. You can join us by participating in the We Are United: #Faith4Coverage Twitter storm on Wednesday, September 28 from 2-3pm.
Every year, Congress adopts the Hyde Amendment to its budget legislation. In 2015, Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) introduced a solution, the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act, or the EACH Woman Act (H.R. 2972). The bill would repeal the Hyde Amendment, guaranteeing coverage for abortion through federal insurance plans and programs. The EACH Woman Act currently has 123 cosponsors.
Take action and contact your Member of Congress to urge them to support the EACH Woman Act.
For more information on reproductive rights, visit the RAC’s issue page.
This blog originally appeared on the RAC’s blog.
Maya Weinstein is a 2016-2017 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Maya is from Fort Myers, FL and earned her B.A. from George Washington University.