A Statement from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
2/9/2011
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Hal Rogers released a list of proposed cuts to Fiscal Year 2011
spending which would be included in a House continuing resolution to fund the
government for the remainder of FY 2011.The proposal includes the elimination of the Title X family planning
program, and severe cuts to other programs that promote public health.In response, Sarah Brown, CEO of The National
Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy released the following
statement:
"The Title X family planning program plays a critical role
in reducing unplanned pregnancy in this country.It saves taxpayer dollars, provides basic
health care to millions of women, and reduces abortion.In 2009 alone, Title X provided services to more
than 5.1 million women and men through a network of more than 4,500 public,
private, and non-profit clinics.In
addition to offering extensive contraceptive services, Title X also financed 2
million Pap tests and more than 2.3 million clinical breast exams in 2009.By supporting prevention, Title X reduces
public expenditures, improves the health of women and families, and reduces the
prevalence of abortion.Contraceptive
services at Title X-funded clinics in 2008 helped to avert some 973,000
unintended pregnancies, which would have resulted in 433,000 unplanned births
and 406,000 abortions.
At a time when there is much discussion about reducing
abortion, it is simply unacceptable to cut -- even eliminate -- a program that
provides widely-used and widely-supported contraceptive services that lead
directly to less abortion.Ninety-nine
percent of sexually active women have used some form of contraception and 89
percent of voters are in favor of public funding for family planning
services.In fact, 72 percent of
Republicans and Independents favor legislation that would make it easier for
people at all income levels to obtain contraception.
What's more, there is ample evidence that publicly-funded contraceptive
services are cost-effective, saving $3.74 for every $1 spent.As we look for new ways to address the serious
fiscal problems that confront us all, publicly-funded contraceptive services offer
a common-sense, practical, and fiscally responsible policy that both saves
money and reduces abortion.
We are also deeply concerned about the severe proposed cuts
to the Maternal and Child Health Block Grants, Community Health Centers, and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All three play a
key role in strengthening public health in our country generally, and helping
to reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy specifically."
For more information on Title X, download Briefly - Policy Brief: Title X Plays a Critical Role in Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy.
About The National Campaign: The
National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy seeks to improve the
lives and future prospects of children and families.Our specific strategy is to prevent teen
pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy among single, young adults.We support a combination of responsible
values and behavior by both men and women and responsible policies in both the
public and private sectors.If we are
successful, child and family well-being will improve.
