The Reproductive Health Access Project staff joined 200 delegates from 25 states and Washington, DC at the third annual All* Above All Capitol Hill day on October 22. RHAP is proud to be part of the All* Above All coalition, which unites organizations and individuals to build support for lifting bans that deny abortion coverage. All*Above All reflects a powerful belief that each of us, not just some of us, must be able to make the important decision of whether to end a pregnancy without interference. This year’s Lobby Day was extra special because it is the first time we have had an actual bill to lobby for! The EACH Woman Act was introduced into the House by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), and already has over 100 Congressional Co-Sponsors.

Congress currently withholds most federal funding for abortion through the Hyde Amendment, which creates unjust barriers for those struggling to get by, interfering with their ability to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families. The EACH Woman Act makes a meaningful policy change for women and their families by ensuring that every woman who receives care or insurance through the federal government will have coverage for abortion services. It also prohibits political interference with decisions by private health insurance companies to offer coverage for abortion care. The EACH Woman Act would restore public insurance coverage so that every woman, whatever her income, can get affordable, safe abortion care when she needs it.

The RHAP delegates spent the day in small groups meeting with members of Congress, asking them to support the EACH Woman Act. We were also asking these members of Congress to sign a letter to President Obama urging him to submit a “clean budget” with no restriction on funding for abortions. Our requests were met with a great deal of support for our cause – we are very thankful to the members of Congress who are taking a stand on this issue.

The Reproductive Health Access Project is All* in to support the EACH Woman Act because we believe abortion care is basic health care that should be accessible to everyone. Learn more about how you can join the movement to End Hyde at allaboveall.org.