Dear John,

We don’t have to tell you that we’re in the midst of a national reckoning with our nation’s legacy of racism—and how systemic racism is still embedded in our institutions, our laws, and our society. But we do want to talk to you about one of the many ways that racism has manifested itself in an issue we know you care deeply about—abortion. It’s through something called the Hyde Amendment.

The Hyde Amendment is a provision in federal law that bans insurance coverage of abortion for people enrolled in the Medicaid program. But let’s spell out what that really means: it’s a ban on abortion care for low-income people. Which means that Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities are disproportionately harmed by the Hyde Amendment. In short: it’s classist, it’s racist, and it has to go.

Everyone deserves abortion coverage—no matter their source of insurance, no matter their income.

The Hyde Amendment may seem like it’s been around forever. It may seem like it’s unbeatable. But I’m here to tell you: it’s not. We can end the Hyde Amendment.

Here’s how: the Hyde Amendment is not permanent law—it’s added to the yearly federal spending bill. That means Congress can stop renewing this harmful ban on people’s ability to get the abortion care they need. And there’s some more good news: Congress is debating the next spending bill right now and some members of Congress are already talking about removing Hyde. But we need to make it loud and clear to our representatives: end the Hyde Amendment.

Not next year, not next decade. Now.

Because racism and classism have no place in abortion care. Tell your representatives to end the Hyde amendment today.

In solidarity,
Gretchen Borchelt
she/her/hers
Vice President for Reproductive Rights and Health
National Women's Law Center