House Advances Budget Resolution, Opens Door to Expand Health Care Access

Reconciliation bills expected to expand Medicaid coverage, provide other investments in health equity

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced a budget resolution that allows for critical investments in health care, including sexual and reproductive care. The resolution unlocks the reconciliation process, which Congress can use to expand Medicaid, provide health coverage to 4 million people who are currently uninsured, reduce costs, address the maternal health crisis, and make more investments in health equity.  

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America: 

“The ongoing pandemic has exposed the pre-existing inequities in the health care system and emphasized how fragile access to health care — including sexual and reproductive care — can be. At this time of great uncertainty, it’s unconscionable that 12 states continue to deny health coverage to millions of people with low incomes, including 800,000 women of reproductive age, by refusing to expand Medicaid. It’s past time for Congress to step in and take action. Passage of today’s budget resolution in the House of Representatives is an important step forward in advancing health equity. Now Congress must finish the job by passing reconciliation bills that include Medicaid expansion and other critical investments in health access.”

Currently, 12 states are refusing to expand Medicaid coverage, denying health care to 2.2 million people with incomes below the federal poverty line who are uninsured. An additional 1.8 million people currently insured through the Affordable Care Act would benefit through Medicaid expansion. Medicaid is the largest payer of reproductive health care in the nation, and Medicaid expansion has been essential in narrowing race and economic-based disparities in health care coverage and outcomes. Finishing the expansion of Medicaid could bring coverage to more than 800,000 women of reproductive age. 

Medicaid expansion is inextricably tied to health equity. Due to centuries of structural racism that have created elaborate  barriers to health and economic well-being, ranging from wealth inequality to the toxic stress caused by racism, roughly 30% of Black and Latino people in this country use Medicaid, compared to only around 15% of white people. Because of these same barriers, Medicaid covers 65% of births to Black mothers. Black women are more than three times as likely to die of pregnancy-related causes, so closing the coverage gap is imperative in addressing the Black maternal health crisis. 

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.