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26 Democrats Join Effort to Prevent Unintended Pregnancies, Support
Pregnant Women, and Assist New Parents.
(WASHINGTON,
D.C.) - . Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), a
member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), a member
of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus announced today that they have reintroduced
common ground legislation to reduce the number of abortions in America. The Reducing the Need for Abortions and
Supporting Parents Act (HR 1074) would create programs to prevent teen
pregnancy, expand Medicaid eligibility for family planning services, combat
sexual assault and expand adoption programs.
"This is a new direction on reducing unintended pregnancies
and abortions in America-one
that will capture the needs of a changing world. We will continue to have a vigorous debate
over the legality of abortions, but as we have that debate, it is our moral
obligation to also address those issues with which all sides agree. Only then
can we claim to be serious about reducing the rate of abortions," said Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-17).
"This
is a consensus bill focused on the need to reduce abortion, while also
providing supports for new parents to strengthen their families. It represents new terrain on this issue. And it moves the discourse in this country
beyond the legalization of abortion and toward doing something to reduce the
rate of abortion. It is strong on
prevention and contraception, strong on family support. Absent these supports, you simply cannot
reduce the rate of abortions," said Congresswoman
Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3)
H.R. 1074 aims to reduce the abortion rate by preventing unintended
pregnancies, supporting pregnant women, and assisting new parents. One in five abortions are obtained by a
teenager and 60 percent are obtained by women with incomes below 200 percent of
the poverty line.
"Every dollar spent on family planning saves three dollars
in Medicaid costs," said Congressman
Ryan. "A report released last year estimates that if we funded family planning
and pregnancy related care at the same levels as Medicaid, which is a goal of
our legislation, we could save $1.5 billion in net state and federal Medicaid
savings. This is both smart and
compassionate."
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