We’re not even three months into 2021 and anti-choice lawmakers across the country have already introduced, advanced, or passed more than 200 bills attacking reproductive freedom. The right to abortion care means nothing without access and coverage, and that’s why one of NARAL’s top priorities is ensuring the Biden administration protects and expands access to abortion care — for every body. Without question, it’s imperative that the Biden administration act on the president’s campaign promise to end racist abortion coverage bans.
Just yesterday, we were joined by U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee and All* Above All’s Morgan Hopkins at “Expand Abortion Access: End Hyde,” to discuss how abortion bans disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color; and why reproductive freedom must be included in the pursuit of equity and economic security. If you didn’t have a chance to attend, I encourage you to watch and learn more about how you can get involved to end racist abortion coverage and combat anti-choice disinformation.
Take Action Demand the Biden Administration End Hyde!
The Biden Administration will soon release its budget, and one of NARAL’s top priorities is to ensure the president honors his campaign promise to strike racist and discriminatory abortion coverage bans like the Hyde Amendment from the budget.
The Hyde Amendment bans abortion care coverage for those who receive their health insurance through the federal government, including those who are insured through Medicaid, Indigenous communities, women who are incarcerated or in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, and more. Bans on abortion coverage disproportionately hurt people already facing the greatest barriers to accessing care thanks to systemic racism and inequities, especially Black, Indigenous, and other women of color, transgender and non-binary people, and those with lower incomes.
It’s past time to end Hyde and expand access to abortion care. Together we must demand that the Biden administration strike abortion coverage bans including Hyde from the budget.
This month, YouTube permanently suspended notorious anti-choice website LifeSiteNews from its platform after it refused to stop spreading dangerous disinformation about COVID-19. LifeSite trafficks in disinformation on a wide range of issues, including abortion, vaccines, and election integrity.
As expected, right-wing media and anti-choice groups falsely claimed the decision amounted to “censorship.” As NARAL Research Director Dina Montemarano pointed out to VICE, this is a favored tactic the anti-choice movement uses to avoid accountability for the lies and disinformation it propagates.
NARAL members Volunteer Spotlight
Black History Month Celebrating the Black History of Reproductive Freedom
Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey were enslaved women on plantations in Montgomery, Alabama, who (with neither consent nor anesthesia) were experimented on by Dr. J. Marion Sims, “the Father of Gynecology.” These women changed the world of reproductive healthcare, only to be forgotten. In March, a 15-foot public monument will be erected to honor these women, tell their stories, and shine a light on the ongoing racial disparities in healthcare that exist today.
Lawmakers introduced HB 531, which would have devastating consequences for voting in Georgia. This bill is a direct response to Georgia voters’ historic turnout in 2020 — which saw victories for reproductive freedom champions across the state — and is a desperate attempt by Republican politicians to thwart democracy and prevent people from voting.
Arizona
Anti-choice lawmakers in Arizona’s state legislature introduced a slate of bills designed to push access to abortion as far out of reach as possible and criminalize doctors who provide abortion care.
Fight Back
So far in 2021, states have introduced or advanced over 200 restrictions on reproductive freedom, including extreme bans on abortion and anti-choice state constitutional amendments. Help us fight back!
