Congressman Veasey Denounces Republicans’ Continued Attacks on Low-Income Women’s Access to Healthcare

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 3495, a bill that would severely limit low-income patients' ability to choose their healthcare provider:

"Today, I was appalled that once again instead of addressing the issues directly affecting American women such as the wage gap or affordable childcare, Republicans have decided to attack women's healthcare. I was proud to vote against H.R. 3495, the Women's Public Health and Safety Act, which despite its title seeks to endanger women's public health and safety by allowing states to exclude providers from Medicaid participation based solely on the fact that a provider offers abortion services. This very broadly-drafted bill would undermine the longstanding ‘freedom of choice' provision of Medicaid that allows enrollees to seek care from any willing, qualified provider."

"H.R. 3495 would have disastrous effects for America's low-income population. Medicaid enrollees across the nation could lose access to critical primary care that is not even remotely related to abortion services. Current federal law already prohibits public funds from covering a woman's abortion, except in limited circumstances. For already medically underserved communities like my district, this bill would intensify the difficulties in finding a reliable healthcare provider."

"The recent onslaught of Republican attacks on women's healthcare is merely a disguised attack against low-income women across the country. These bills do not increase funds for preventative cancer screenings, make contraception more affordable or make STD testing and treatments any more accessible. Instead, they work to jeopardize access to critical care for low-income patients across the country. It is time to stop these attacks and once and for all end the fruitless campaign against America's low-income women."

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