Let’s get this hearing started! We’ll be live tweeting this morning, follow along! #BeBoldEndHyde
Annnnd let's try that again - *now* let's get this hearing started! #BeBoldEndHyde
Thank you to @rosadelauro @RepBarbaraLee @RepRoybalAllard @repmarkpocan @RepKClark @RepLoisFrankel @RepCheri @RepBonnie for holding this hearing & your commitment to #BeBoldEndHyde
We're hearing from @rosadelauro on just how critical this hearing is for communities across the country - "The time has come to reckon with the norm." We must #BeBoldEndHyde 
@rosadelauro lays out the facts found in the Turnaway Study - because of this critical research, we know the serious harms when people are denied wanted abortion care... often because of restrictions like Hyde. #BeBoldEndHyde
@TomColeOK04 says this hearing's issue is contentious... we couldn't disagree more. Access to abortion (basic, essential health care), is the least contentious concept we can think of... #AbortionIsHealthcare #BeBoldEndHyde
@rosadelauro takes really important time to discuss the opportunity the Subcommittee has to bridge differences to address the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We're so thrilled she's Chairwoman.
We now hear from outgoing Chairwoman @NitaLowey on her decades long partnership with many other legislators to work to end the Hyde Amendment. Thank you so much for your dedication to #BeBoldEndHyde, Congresswoman Lowey.
“First: Abortion is a health care experience shared by many people. Abortion patients include people of every race, religion, political affiliation, and socioeconomic group, and the majority are already parents.” @HerminiaPalacio @Guttmacher #BeBoldEndHyde #AbortionIsHealthcare
“The harmful burdens of the Hyde Amendment are intentionally and unjustly imposed on Black and Brown people, and on people with low incomes. In other words: on people who have been historically marginalized.” @HerminiaPalacio @Guttmacher #BeBoldEndHyde
“As our country undergoes a racial reckoning, I want to be very clear: The Hyde Amendment is a racist policy.” @HerminiaPalacio @Guttmacher #BeBoldEndHyde
“My final point centers on the evidence demonstrating the serious and long-lasting consequences of withholding abortion coverage.” @HerminiaPalacio @Guttmacher #BeBoldEndHyde
“...among women with Medicaid coverage subject to the Hyde Amendment, one in four who seek an abortion are forced to continue the pregnancy.” @HerminiaPalacio @Guttmacher #BeBoldEndHyde
“Forcing someone who wants an abortion to continue a pregnancy is not only a violation of their reproductive autonomy; it is tantamount to requiring them, against their wishes, to accept the risk of pregnancy” @HerminiaPalacio @Guttmacher #BeBoldEndHyde
“Hyde disproportionately withholds abortion coverage from Black and Brown communities; a potential consequence of which is being forced to continue a pregnancy in a system in which Black and Indigenous people are astonishingly more likely to die.” @HerminiaPalacio #BeBoldEndHyde
“In sum, the Hyde Amendment has been unjust and harmful from the very beginning.” @HerminiaPalacio @Guttmacher #BeBoldEndHyde
“Congress, starting with this subcommittee, has both the opportunity and ethical imperative to lead toward reproductive justice, beginning with this first step of eliminating the Hyde Amendment.” @HerminiaPalacio @Guttmacher #BeBoldEndHyde
@HerminiaPalacio, that was POWERFUL! Now we will hear our President and CEO @Reprorightsdoc’s opening statement #BeBoldEndHyde
“I’m here today on behalf of the people I care for, in the community I serve every day – people profoundly impacted by insurance coverage barriers, like the Hyde Amendment.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“The patients I care for share something in common – they are making thoughtful, sometimes difficult, decisions about their health and well-being and all deserve high quality care.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“The Hyde Amendment is discriminatory. It disproportionately harms people of color, young people, and those living in rural areas.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“I am not a legislator, but I am a doctor and I take care of real people who are not able to get the care they need and deserve because of this discriminatory legislation.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“As an OB/GYN I see what happens when women don’t have access to services because they lack coverage and cannot afford to pay. Abortion services are no different.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“For those living paycheck to paycheck, the cost of reproductive health care and additional expenses like childcare, transportation, and time away from work can be insurmountable.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“They may be forced to forego an abortion altogether and carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. This is outcome not insignificant.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“Withholding coverage continues to perpetuate a two-tiered system of health care, dictated by one’s income, socio-economic status, and zip code.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“In the four decades of the Hyde Amendment, we have seen worsening health inequality for Black, Indigenous and other people of color in this country.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“For my *entire* career the Hyde Amendment has been used to intentionally limit my ability to give patients the care that they need.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“Abortion. Is. Health care. Insurance coverage of abortion should be comparable to other essential health care services. Abortion should not be singled out for exclusion or have additional burdens placed upon it.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“Many factors influence a person’s need to have an abortion. These influences are valid and people should be able to access this care without unjust policies creating insurmountable barriers.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“I took an oath to provide compassionate care. Coverage bans like the Hyde Amendment stand in the way.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“No one makes decisions in a vacuum. Our lives are intersectional – our identities and experiences factor into decisions around contraceptive use, pregnancy, and abortion.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“Organizers and advocates on the ground and reproductive justice leaders around the country know what I am telling you today: coverage restrictions like Hyde not only harm patients, they perpetuate a system of injustice.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“Lawmakers have an opportunity to take the steps necessary to ensure all people are able to access the care they need regardless of where they live or how much money they make.” @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
“Abortion funds exist to help people navigate the intricate web of anti-abortion restrictions—including abortion coverage bans like the Hyde Amendment— that prevent people from obtaining safe abortion care.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“I'm also a proud abortion storyteller with @AbortionStories an org dedicated to the representation of people who have abortions to change the convo to one of compassion and remind us that everyone loves someone who had an abortion.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“However any of us feel about abortion, politicians should not be allowed to deny someone’s health coverage for it just because they are struggling to get by.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“During the year 2019, 68 percent of @LilithFund clients were people of color, 45 percent were uninsured, 42 percent did not have paid employment and they traveled an average of 158 miles to reach the abortion care they need” @amandabeatrizTX #BeBoldEndHyde
“Since 2013, my state of Texas has shuttered nearly half of its abortion clinics, forcing people to travel far distances and shoulder additional expenses.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“As the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout ravages Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, the same people impacted by the Hyde Amendment are already marginalized by inequities in our health care system and systemic racism.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“Anti-abortion TX officials also exploited the pandemic by banning abortion care in our state for nearly a month. During the first week of April when the ban was in effect, half of Lilith Fund callers were forced to travel out of state to receive abortion care.” @amandabeatrizTX
“For many of our hotline callers, expenses like groceries, rent, and childcare were already difficult to afford, but with so many losing their jobs this year, paying out of pocket for an abortion can be next to impossible.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“I know, because this stress was all too real for me. When I was 19 years old and a freshman at the University of Houston, I had an abortion.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“When I arrived for my procedure, I was overwhelmed by the kind support I received from clinic escorts, the clinic staff, and my provider, who all made me feel comfortable and safe.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“Everyone having an abortion deserves to be met by people who support them and care for them in loving and respectful ways, every step of the way. And we deserve to be trusted.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“I also want to leave you with the story of another Texan, Rosie Jimenez, whose legacy we continue to honor in our work every day.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“Rosie became the first known person to die as a result of the Hyde Amendment. To be clear: Rosie died because of
Hyde.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
Hyde.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
“When each of us can make our own decisions about our reproductive health care, when we can forge families who we love on our own terms, we have more control over our lives and our economic security.” @amandabeatrizTX @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
YES!!!! @amandabeatrizTX THANK YOU for sharing your abortion story! @AbortionStories @lilithfund #BeBoldEndHyde
So much gratitude to powerhouse witnesses @Reprorightsdoc @amandabeatrizTX @HerminiaPalacio who are sharing their expertise and stories on why the #BeBoldEndHyde fight is critical to this work.
@rosadelauro asks how restrictions like the Hyde Amendment have made health care harder to access during the pandemic. #BeBoldEndHyde
"Disasters exacerbate pre-existing inequities." @HerminiaPalacio on the intersection of the pandemic, racial reckoning in this country, and attempts to access health care. #BeBoldEndHyde
"The access to health care, including abortion, shouldn't depend on where you live or how much money you make. Health care is a human right." @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
"We should be thinking of solutions to expand health care, not withholding it." @amandabeatrizTX #BeBoldEndHyde
"Every person has the right, whether getting their health care through the federal government or through private insurance, to this care." @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
"When we withhold coverage, we're telling them a stigmatizing message, that they are not worthy of safe, affordable, health care and that we will not uphold their protected right to abortion." @amandabeatrizTX #BeBoldEndHyde
"Yes we have a racist history, and yes Hyde is a racist policy. It's time to remedy the past by taking this bold step for the future." @HerminiaPalacio #BeBoldEndHyde
"I trust the people I take care of to know what is best for them. I talk to patients every day who are clear about their decision." @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
@Reprorightsdoc trusts her patients, listens to them, and believes them. @RepAndyHarrisMD cuts off witnesses, disrespects, interrupts, and refuses to hear their expertise. #BeBoldEndHyde
@RepBarbaraLee, a true champion for reproductive health, shares what it was like to be working when the Hyde Amendment was passed. We're with her in our readiness to #BeBoldEndHyde and see the EACH Woman Act become a reality.
"The action that this committee is considering today is one of the critical steps to change the trajectory of history so that we don't continue the same path overlaying racist policy with racist policy." @HerminiaPalacio #BeBoldEndHyde
"Banning coverage for abortion is a part of a larger schema that says poor women do not have the agency and autonomy to decide what is right for their lives and their bodies." @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
"I needed to be in control of my own body and my own wellness. Having an abortion was affirming of the fact that I am the expert in my own life. We should be able to make these health care decisions with trust, dignity, and respect." @amandabeatrizTX #BeBoldEndHyde
"As a mother, I know what it means to parent. And I believe my patients when they tell me this is the right decision for them." @Reprorightsdoc listens to, believes, and trusts Black women. #BeBoldEndHyde
"I'm a provider of health care and my job is to support my patients no matter what and that includes for folks seeking care for abortion care. We are providing compassionate care." @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
"Crisis pregnancy centers are intentionally placed to coerce and mislead people seeking abortion care. They are coercing patients to carry on with a pregnancy that they may or may not want to continue." @Reprorightsdoc #BeBoldEndHyde
"Regardless of intent of Representative Hyde, the impact [of Hyde] is clearly racist." @HerminiaPalacio #BeBoldEndHyde
Let's join @HerminiaPalacio @Reprorightsdoc and @amandabeatrizTX and say loud and clear:
The Hyde Amendment is RACIST.
#BeBoldEndHyde
The Hyde Amendment is RACIST.
#BeBoldEndHyde
As a physician led organization, we just want to be clear that abortion *does* have a 99% safety rate and that *is* rooted in science, data, and evidence. #BeBoldEndHyde
As this hearing comes to a close, let's acknowledge that this hearing is possible thanks to the tireless leadership of Black women like @RepBarbaraLee @RepBonnie @RepPressley that have been leading the #BeBoldEndHyde fight in Congress.
Thank you to the witnesses @HerminiaPalacio @Reprorightsdoc @amandabeatrizTX and advocacy of @AllAboveAll as we join in collective efforts to #BeBoldEndHyde.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
