Six ‘trailblazing’ efforts to counter anti-choice restrictions in 2015

by Ally Boguhn

22 December 2015

In July, a group of congresswomen, in conjunction with a coalition of pro-choice advocates, introduced the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act to ensure every woman with health insurance can access abortion, regardless of income or insurance. The bill could overturn the Hyde Amendment’s ban on the use of federal funds for abortion and undo laws in 25 states restricting private insurers from covering abortion. Millions of women who rely on the federal government for insurance would be affected should the bill pass, including the one in six women enrolled in Medicaid in the United States.

Ohio legislators introduced a series of bills in October to repeal the state’s stringent abortion restrictions and increase women’s access to health care. The measures included efforts to eliminate Ohio’s requirement that abortion clinics have a transfer agreement with hospitals in case of emergency, a restriction that led to the shuttering of half the state’s clinics. “We are not damsels in distress tied to railroad tracks. We are the train, and we are carrying the message that we will not tolerate further infringement of a constitutionally protected right to abortion care,” Rep. Greta Johnson said while speaking about the legislation at a news conference.

Ohio House Democrats responded to a wave of anti-choice violence, including the shooting at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic by introducing a bill in December to create a 15-foot buffer zone around abortion clinics to protect staff and patients from harassment. Rep. Stephanie Howse, one of the bill’s sponsors, said on the measure. “Recent events have shaken some women in Ohio, but we are here today to assure women that we will do everything in our power to protect their right to access quality, comprehensive health care services.”

Pro-choice advocates and legislators in California were tired of crisis pregnancy centers lying to women, so in August they passed landmark legislation forcing such centers to disclose to patients what their reproductive rights are. The California Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care and Transparency (FACT) Act mandates them to inform patients of the state’s reproductive health care programs, and requires them to disclose whether their clinics have licensed medical professionals on staff.

Democrats in the US Congress started off the year with an ambitious measure to safeguard reproductive health care access and expand services offered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), such as maternity and contraceptive coverage. The 21st Century Women’s Health Act, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray, Barbara Boxer, and Barbara Mikulski would enact a public health campaign to inform women of their reproductive health care rights and benefits, and appoint a “women’s health ombudsperson” to protect those rights.

In February, Oregon’s Comprehensive Women’s Health Bill was introduced with the backing of local groups to bring the state’s reproductive health care policies to ensure access to the full spectrum of reproductive health services. Although the “trailblazing” measure was ultimately spiked by Democratic leaders over its abortion language, the bill nevertheless stood out for its landmark efforts to require both public and private health insurance providers to cover contraception, abortion, prenatal care, and childbirth. Had the bill passed, Oregon would have become the first state in the nation to mandate all residents’ insurance provide every type of reproductive health care.

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