Destiny Lopez, All* Above All Action Fund, on Senator Tim Kaine and the Hyde Amendment

For Immediate Release

Statement by Destiny Lopez, co-director, All* Above All Action Fund, on statements by Senator Tim Kaine’s spokespeople regarding his support for lifting the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the Medicaid health insurance program from covering abortion care:

“Sen. Kaine has been a long-time supporter of dismantling civil rights injustices. Abortion coverage bans, like the Hyde Amendment, represent a deeply entrenched injustice, where issues of gender inequity, racism, and economic injustice come together. The recent statements by campaign spokespeople are a positive sign that Senator Kaine is ready to join the chorus of voices that have called for lifting the Hyde Amendment.

“The past year has seen a tremendous step forward in dismantling the Hyde Amendment, from the introduction of the EACH Woman Act, Hillary Clinton’s full-throated denouncement of the policy, and the call for its repeal in the Democratic Party platform. We look forward to Sen. Kaine publicly joining those working across the country to lift this policy that stands in the way of women struggling to make ends meet being able to make decisions about their health.

“Senator Kaine’s evolution on his position would be in line with how voters feel about lifting bans on abortion coverage. Eighty-six percent of voters (86%) agree that ‘however we feel about abortion, politicians should not be allowed to deny a woman’s health coverage because she is poor,’ and a majority of voters support legislation that would require Medicaid to cover all pregnancy-related care, including abortion.”

Background:

All* Above All Action Fund is the first reproductive justice effort that builds political power to lift bans that deny abortion coverage.

This year, candidates along the campaign trail have been taking strong stands against abortion coverage bans, including Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton. And for the first time, the platform of the Democratic Party reflects an unprecedented commitment to lifting abortion coverage bans.

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