Struggle against wealth inequality includes fight for reproductive rights

Wealth inequality is an important concern for those on the left of the American political spectrum. It is also no secret that wealth inequality is currently at record levels in the U.S. However, tackling wealth inequality cannot be done in a vacuum, since this issue intersects with various other social issues in America. For instance, many on the left may not realize how much the battle over reproductive rights in the U.S. can significantly affect the distribution of wealth across the country.

Lack of access to abortion has financial consequences for women

Having a child when not ready financially can be a serious problem for many women. This can keep a woman from being able to advance in her career or obtain the necessary education or training in order to move up along the economic and social ladder. Therefore, policies implemented by lawmakers which make it more difficult for women to access abortion can have significantly negative financial effects on women with unintended pregnancies. As a result, these women and their families are less able to accumulate wealth and therefore are significantly disadvantaged economically.

Anti-choice policies hurt impoverished communities most

Unfortunately, these policies restricting choice are most detrimental to impoverished communities. Women from impoverished communities are five times more likely than affluent women to have an unintended birth, according to The Brookings Institute. The effort to make the anti-choice Hyde Amendment permanent is one of the latest of these GOP anti-choice policies which would result in increased wealth inequality.

GOP aims to make anti-choice policy permanent

The Hyde Amendment, originally passed in 1976, bans the federal government from using taxpayer dollars on abortion services. However, the 2016 Democratic National Committee platform explicitly called for the repeal of the Hyde amendment which has prompted Republicans to take action. The GOP has already passed in the House the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act (H.R. 7) which would essentially make the Hyde Amendment permanent if it is passed in the Senate.

Democrats move to stop GOP

Fortunately, progressives, liberals and Democrats have responded to this most recent GOP attack on women's rights by putting forth a bill of their own which would put a stop to this latest anti-choice effort by Republicans. The Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2017 (H.R. 771) would block the GOP's anti-choice bill by permanently repealing the ban on federal funding for abortion.

Who supports the EACH Woman Act?

The EACH Woman Act, along with its sponsor Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), is co-sponsored by 122 Democrats and no Republicans. Some of the co-sponsoring Democrats include Keith Ellison, Mark Takano, Ted Lieu and Pramila Jayapal. As of now, progressive Tulsi Gabbard has not signed onto the bill.

If you want to do something about wealth inequality and fight for a woman's right to choose, then please contact your representatives in Congress and ask them to vote for the EACH Woman Act of 2017. Also, call your Senators and demand that they vote against the GOP's anti-choice bill H.R. 7.