Press Releases

“In the past year, we’ve seen unprecedented action against a woman’s right to choose in states across the country. We want to make it abundantly clear in our local laws that in the District of Columbia we are a safe haven for women seeking unrestricted access to reproductive health care,” said Councilmember Henderson. “The use of FDA-approved medication provides a safe, effective, and simple option to manage pregnancy with or without the supervision of a health care professional. The use of the medication is already protected under DC law. However, the law remains unclear for family, friends, or health professionals assisting an individual with the process. This legislation would expressly protect those who support or assist individuals in need of such care.”

“Many people don’t anticipate that they will have difficulty conceiving a child. Once they realize that they do and that there is a clear solution, they are then met with another obstacle – cost. One cycle of IVF alone can cost between $20,000 to $25,000, and insurance providers are not required to cover this treatment. This legislation would change that, requiring private, Medicaid, and DC Alliance insurers to cover assisted reproductive technologies,” said Councilmember Henderson. “State mandated coverage has been shown to increase the use of infertility services 3-fold, which is also linked to better public health outcomes. It is time for the District to join 19 states that have already mandated this coverage.”

“As a mom of two young children, I understand how essential and expensive diapers truly are. We know that infants and toddlers use anywhere from six to ten diapers per day, yet this item is often excluded from family assistance programs, like SNAP or WIC,” said Councilmember Henderson. “This legislation would support our families enrolled in TANF with an additional monthly benefit of $100 intended for diaper expenses. We would also expand access to free diapers through a diaper bank grant program available for any family in need.”

“The District’s housing policy choices speak to the priority we place on safe, affordable housing, and the unique value of homeownership for historically excluded communities. We have a lot of programs to support residents in purchasing a home, but very few places they can turn to for questions and counsel when issues arise after closing. This legislation would renew our commitment to homeowners, specifically Black and brown families who have been historically left behind when building wealth through ownership,” said Councilmember Henderson. “The Homeowner Resource Center would support families for their full journey of ownership.”

“In order to support safer communities in the District, we must make it easier for residents to remove hazardous trees near their homes. After the first snowfall this year, DDOT received over 400 requests to respond to a downed tree in our neighborhoods – the need for this expansion is clear,” said Councilmember Henderson. “Today, residents who qualify for any income-contingent government assistance program, like SNAP or TANF, have access to government support when they need to remove a hazardous tree. This legislation would add senior citizens who qualify for property tax reflief to the eligible group.”

After a year of legislating through emergency response and recovery, I understand even more deeply the weight our budget decisions carry for the 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia, our businesses, and our visitors. With our unexpected additional revenue and infusion of more federal dollars, I believe we can be even more ambitious and innovative in our approach to delivering essential services, supporting communities, and providing opportunity no matter one’s zip code. It’s with this in mind that I send the following recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.