In Wednesday’s White House press conference, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called out the Supreme Court’s June overturning of Roe v Wade as "unconstitutional," and declared that an executive order signed by President Biden shortly after would not violate the Hyde amendment.
"From day one, when the Supreme Court made this extreme decision to take away a constitutional right, it was an unconstitutional action by them, a right that was around for almost 50 years, a right that women had to make a decision on their bodies and how they want to start their families…" Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday.
In a separate question, one reporter pressed Jean-Pierre on how using Medicaid to fund travel expenses to obtain an abortion would not violate the Hyde amendment.
"On the proposal to have Medicaid fund travel expenses for women seeking abortion, how would that not violate Hyde if it's using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions?" the reporter asked.
Jean-Pierre assured that the executive order would not violate Hyde, and that "we follow the law here."
Jean-Pierre is asked how having Medicaid fund travel expenses for women seeking abortions doesn’t violate Hyde:
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 3, 2022
“We follow the law here.” pic.twitter.com/iOCQvE4Ab1
On Wednesday morning, it was announced that Biden would, later that day, be signing an executive order that would defend "the bedrock right to travel across state lines to seek reproductive healthcare in states where those services remain legal," according to a White House fact sheet.
Speaking with ABC News, a senior Biden administration official said that this new executive order will allow for the Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to "invite states to apply for Medicaid waivers, so that states where abortion is legal could provide services to people traveling from a state where abortion may be illegal to seek services in their state."
The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976, blocks the use of federal funding for abortions.
While federal funding cannot be used, states can circumnavigate this ban by using their own state’s funding to cover abortions for those with Medicaid insurance.
According to Planned Parenthood, 15 states currently use their own funds to provide abortion services to those covered under Medicaid. An additional six states provide the service in specific cases, like ones where the mother's life is in jeopardy.
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
