Rep. Chu Blasts Latest Attempt to Take Healthcare Decisions Out of Women’s Hands

Washington, D.C. – Late last night, after an earlier bill to ban almost all abortions after 20 weeks failed to gain enough support from Republican House Members, House Leadership fast tracked H.R. 7 for a vote this morning. The bill prevents women from accessing safe and legal abortions by eliminating tax credits for eligible women and families who purchase health plans through the health insurance marketplaces, like Covered California. Rep. Chu spoke out against the bill on the floor today and her statement is included below:

“Once again, women’s rights are being attacked on the floor of the House. A decision about health that should be made by a woman and her doctor is instead being made by politicians with an agenda. And despite their claims of acting for the sake of women’s health, this draconian bill will deny women access to medical care and drive out abortion coverage from private health plans once and for all.

What would be the effect? Women would be denied access to abortion, especially low-income and minority women who are buying health insurance through the marketplace. For some, they’ll be sent back to the days before Roe v. Wade when women desperate for help were driven to unlicensed doctors and unsanitary conditions. Often suffering infections, hemorrhages, and at times, death.

We should not be in the business of endangering women’s health and safety. This is why yesterday, I introduced the Women’s Health Protection Act to universally ensure a women’s right to choose. This bill would create stronger federal protections for essential health care by preventing states from restricting access to abortion if they cannot actually demonstrate a benefit to women’s health.

Personal medical decisions belong solely to the people they impact and the medical professionals they trust. It is time that we put women’s health and safety first, not politics. This is why I strongly oppose the bill.”

On Wednesday, January 21, Rep. Chu introduced H.R. 448, the Women’s Health Protection Act. The bill, which had over 70 original cosponsors in the House, would prevent states from restricting access to abortion without a clear benefit to women’s health.