All Above All* is a groundbreaking reproductive justice campaign launched in 2013, dedicated to restoring and sustaining public insurance coverage of abortion for low-income individuals. The organization operates on the principle that reproductive healthcare, including abortion, should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income, insurance status, or zip code. By uniting organizations and individuals across the United States, All* Above All works to lift bans that deny abortion coverage and to build support for equitable access to abortion care.
Mission and Vision:
All* Above All's mission is to ensure that every person has the freedom to make decisions about their reproductive health and future without political interference or financial barriers. The organization envisions a world where economic status does not determine access to abortion, and where policies support the dignity and autonomy of all individuals, particularly those who have been historically marginalized.
Core Strategies and Activities:
- Policy Advocacy and Legislative Action:
- Repealing the Hyde Amendment:
- The Hyde Amendment, first passed in 1976, prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion services except in limited cases.
- All* Above All leads efforts to repeal this amendment, advocating for legislation like the EACH Woman Act (Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance), which aims to restore insurance coverage for abortion.
- State-Level Initiatives:
- Works with state coalitions to advance policies that expand abortion coverage and oppose restrictions.
- Supports the introduction of state laws that require Medicaid and private insurers to cover abortion services.
- Repealing the Hyde Amendment:
- Public Education and Awareness:
- Campaigns and Messaging:
- Launches national campaigns to raise awareness about the impact of abortion coverage bans on low-income individuals, women of color, and marginalized communities.
- Utilizes storytelling, social media, and public events to humanize the issue and dispel myths.
- Grassroots Mobilization:
- Engages supporters through petitions, rallies, and advocacy days.
- Empowers individuals to contact their legislators and voice their support for reproductive justice.
- Campaigns and Messaging:
- Coalition Building and Partnerships:
- Uniting Organizations:
- Brings together over 130 partner organizations from various movements, including reproductive health, justice, and rights groups, as well as economic and racial justice organizations.
- Intersectional Approach:
- Recognizes that abortion access is intertwined with issues like racism, economic inequality, and immigration status.
- Collaborates with allies to address these intersecting injustices.
- Uniting Organizations:
- Research and Policy Analysis:
- Impact Studies:
- Conducts and disseminates research on how abortion coverage bans affect individuals and communities.
- Provides data and analysis to inform policymakers and advocates.
- Resource Development:
- Creates toolkits, fact sheets, and guides to support advocacy efforts at the local and national levels.
- Impact Studies:
Impact and Achievements:
- Shifting Public Discourse:
- Successfully reframed the conversation around abortion access to highlight the role of economic justice.
- Brought attention to the disproportionate impact of coverage bans on women of color, young people, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
- Policy Progress:
- Contributed to the introduction and growing support for the EACH Woman Act in Congress.
- Supported state-level victories where legislation was passed to expand abortion coverage.
- Grassroots Empowerment:
- Mobilized thousands of activists and built a strong base of support for lifting abortion coverage bans.
- Fostered leadership among individuals directly affected by these policies.
Challenges and Ongoing Efforts:
- Political Opposition:
- Faces resistance from policymakers who support maintaining or expanding abortion restrictions.
- Navigates a polarized political environment where reproductive rights are contested.
- Systemic Barriers:
- Addresses deep-rooted issues like racism and economic inequality that compound the effects of abortion coverage bans.
- Works to dismantle structural barriers through an intersectional lens.
Vision for the Future:
All* Above All is committed to:
- Achieving Legislative Change:
- Continuing to advocate for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment and related restrictions.
- Expanding efforts to ensure abortion coverage in public and private insurance plans.
- Building Inclusive Movements:
- Strengthening partnerships across social justice movements to address interconnected issues.
- Elevating the voices of those most impacted by abortion coverage bans in advocacy efforts.
- Cultural Transformation:
- Shifting societal attitudes to recognize abortion access as a matter of justice and equity.
- Promoting narratives that affirm the dignity and autonomy of all individuals making reproductive decisions.
Conclusion:
All* Above All stands at the forefront of the fight for reproductive justice, highlighting the critical intersection of economic justice and abortion access. By challenging policies that deny abortion coverage and mobilizing diverse coalitions, the organization addresses not only the symptoms but the root causes of inequality. All* Above All's unwavering dedication to lifting barriers ensures that the conversation around abortion access includes the voices and experiences of those most affected, paving the way for a more just and equitable society.