On a day that granted women the basic human right to their own bodies 42 years ago, the GOP passed new restrictions in the House of Representatives that would legally prohibit federal funding for abortions. The bill would prevent a woman’s ability to buy private insurance plans that cover abortions, deny small businesses tax credits if they include abortion care in their insurance plans, and restrict women from having their abortions covered by Medicaid.
The battle for reproductive rights has been drawn out and onerous, and it’s not looking like this year will be any easier: Congress is dominated by anti-choice Republicans, and within the first three days of the new legislative session, they have already put forward five anti-abortion bills.
From defunding Planned Parenthood to allowing healthcare professionals to refuse to perform (or even provide information about) abortions, this legislation is putting a woman’s right to her own body under fire. The fight is far from over on this 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but here’s to continuing to march on in solidarity to maintain women’s liberty to choose.
Images via Radical Women