National Campaign Press Releases
The National Campaign Comments on Essential Health Benefits Bulletin
On January 27, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy submitted comments, in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) “Essential Health Benefits Bulletin” issued December 16, 2011. The Essential Health Benefits will define what insurance plans in the state health exchanges and Medicaid benchmark plans will be required to cover.
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Administration Announces Final Rule for Contraceptive Coverage in the Preventive Services Provision
On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that a final rule will require most health plans to cover contraceptive services without co-pays or deductibles, effective August 1, 2012. The Department chose to continue the relatively narrow conscience exemption for certain religious organizations but chose to give these organizations an additional year, until August 1, 2013 to comply.
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The National Campaign’s Statement on Congress Passing FY 2012 Appropriations Bill.
On December 16 and 17, 2011, the House and Senate respectively passed an omnibus appropriations bill funding federal programs through the remainder of FY 2012. The bill was the product of extensive negotiations among House and Senate appropriators of both parties and reflects a number of evident compromises. The bill essentially maintains level funding for most key programs to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy.
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HHS Decides Not to Make Plan B One-Step Emergency Contraception More Widely Available
On December 7, 2011 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius did not accept the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration to make Plan B One-Step emergency contraception (EC) available without a prescription to those under 17.
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New Members join The National Campaign‘s Congressional Advisory Panel
On December 5, 2011, The National Campaign announced that Representatives Robert Dold (R-IL) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) have joined its House Congressional Advisory Panel (CAP). In addition, long-time vice chair Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) will serve as the new co-chair for the House panel.
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The National Campaign’s Statement on House Appropriations Plan to Severely Cut or Eliminate Funding in FY 2012 for Programs to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
On September 29, 2011, the House Appropriations Committee released its plan for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill for FY 2012. The House bill provides funding about $5 billion below the bill developed by Senate Democrats, which is 2.5 percent below last year’s level and 15 percent below what President Obama requested. The House bill contains about 40 “riders,” or policy provisions, including some that propose to severely cut or eliminate funding for teen pregnancy prevention programs, family planning programs and providers, and health reform. In response, The National Campaign issued this statement.
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Letter supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act
On July 29, 2011 National Campaign CEO Sarah Brown wrote a letter to Representatives Judy Chu and Jared Polis commending them for their leadership in introducing the Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act of 2011. This legislation provides important resources and access to essential services, including teen pregnancy prevention and family planning services, and removes barriers that pregnant and parenting teens face while trying to complete their education.
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The National Campaign’s Statement on IOM Recommendations that Birth Control Should Be Covered for ALL Insured Women
On July 19, 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Women's Preventive Services Study Committee recommended that health insurers cover "the full range of Food and Drug Administration approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity" without co-pays or deductibles for patients. The IOM also recommended including at least one well-woman preventive care visit annually for women.
Read the IOM report
Read the Campaign’s statement
The National Campaign Comments on Proposed Rule for Assuring Access to Covered Medicaid Services
On July 5, 2011, The National Campaign submitted comments on a proposed rule from HHS regarding methods for assuring access to covered Medicaid services. Our comments stressed the important of ensuring that state Medicaid programs continue to monitor the availability and utilization of family planning services, particularly among adolescent populations.
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National Campaign Letter on Teen Pregnancy Prevention Funding
On April 25, 2011 The National Campaign submitted its Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 appropriations request for the Office of Adolescent Health’s evidence-based Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Initiative. The National Campaign requested a funding level of $118.5 million for FY 2012, consistent with the amount in the President’s FY 2012 budget.
Click here to view the House letter
Click here to view the Senate letter
National Campaign Letter on Title X Funding
On April 25, 2011 The National Campaign submitted its Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 appropriations request for the Title X Family Planning Program. The National Campaign requested a funding level of $327 million, consistent with the President’s FY 2012 budget.
Click here to view the House letter
Click here to view the Senate letter
The National Campaign Comments on Student Health Insurance Coverage
The National Campaign submitted comments on a proposed rule from HHS for student health insurance plans and how the Affordable Care Act applies to them. Our comments stressed the importance of access to contraceptive supplies and services for this population.”
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Is Contraception a Code Word?
An op-ed by Campaign CEO Sarah Brown.
The Washington Post (March 26, 2011)
The National Campaign Statement on FY 2011 Budget Agreement
On April 12th, Congressional appropriators released the details of the Continuing Resolution agreed upon over the weekend by President Obama, Speaker John Boehner, and Majority Leader Harry Reid to fund the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2011. This includes funding for two important programs that help to reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy: the Office of Adolescent Health’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative at $105 million (down from $110 million) and the Title X Family Planning Program at $300 million (down from $317 million). The deal also requires stand-alone votes to prohibit any funds within the spending bill from going to Planned Parenthood or its affiliates and to defund the Affordable Care Act. In response to this, The National Campaign issued this statement.
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The National Campaign Statement on the Anniversary of The Affordable Care Act
One year ago, on March 23, 2010, The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by President Obama. The landmark health reform legislation included several provisions that will help to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy. The National Campaign applauds the provisions of the ACA that promote evidence-based education and pregnancy planning and prevention through wider access to contraception.
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The National Campaign Comments on Value-Based Insurance Design and Preventive Services
In response to the solicitation from multiple agencies for information regarding value-based insurance design in connection with preventive care benefits, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services highlighting the high value nature of contraception in this context.
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Why Aren't Faith Leaders Top Advocates for Birth Control?
An op-ed by Campaign CEO
Sarah Brown.
The Washington Post (March 4, 2011)
Senate Encouraged to Save Programs That Help Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
On February 19, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) for fiscal year 2011. The CR would fund the government through the end of September of this year. The CR proposes to severely cut or completely eliminate funding for several programs that help prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy. The National Campaign strongly urges the Senate to recognize the value of these programs and pass a continuing resolution that neither cuts nor eliminates them.
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The National Campaign Statement on President Obama’s FY 2012 Budget Proposal
President Obama's FY 2012 budget proposal, released on February 14, 2011, provides much-needed ongoing support for several programs that help reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy, including funding for the Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative and the Title X family planning program. In a statement, The National Campaign applauds the Administration’s commitment to these and other important initiatives.
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U.S. House of Representatives Proposes Cuts to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs
The Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives released details of the proposed Continuing Resolution (CR) for fiscal year 2011. The CR would fund the government through the end of September of this year. The CR proposes to severely cut or completely eliminate funding for several programs that help prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy, including: complete elimination of the Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative at the Office of Adolescent Health ($110 million in FY 2010); and the complete elimination of the Title X Family Planning Program ($317.5 million in FY 2010). The National Campaign released a statement opposing the proposal to eliminate these programs and the cuts to other critical programs that help to reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy.
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The National Campaign Opposes Eliminating Title X
On February 9th House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers released a list of proposed cuts to Fiscal Year 2011 spending which would include the elimination of the Title X family planning program. In response to this, The National Campaign issued this statement.
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The National Campaign Comments on The Strategic Plan for Federal Youth Policy
On January 19, 2011 The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to inform the development of a strategic plan for federal youth policy. The comments highlighted the link between unplanned pregnancy among teens and young adults to a host of health, economic, and social issues, such as poverty, school completion, and child welfare as well as significant costs to taxpayers.
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The National Campaign Submits “Making the Case: Family Planning is a Key Preventive Service” to IOM Women’s Preventive Services Study Committee
On November 16, 2010, Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign, testified before the IOM Women’s Preventive Services Committee. Ms. Brown addressed the need for the committee to take a broad view of what defines prevention, while addressing both the immediate preventive health benefits of family planning and the broader, more long-term benefits to children, families, and society. Ms. Brown also submitted a paper making the case for family planning as a preventive service.
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The National Campaign Comments on Responsible Fatherhood Programs
The National Campaign submitted comments for the record of the Hearing to Review Responsible Fatherhood Programs held on June 17, 2010 in the House Ways and Mean’s Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support. Comments included recommendations about: how to help young men be more intentional about when and if to have children and to be prepared for the financial and emotional responsibilities that come with being a parent; how important it is that men think about the consequences of having children and be involved in pregnancy planning and prevention as much as women do; and specific opportunities to address pregnancy planning and prevention in the Administration’s proposed Fatherhood, Marriage, and Families Innovation Fund.
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The National Campaign Statement on the Introduction of the Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2010
Following the introduction of H.R. 5033, the Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act, by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, The National Campaign released the following statement.
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The National Campaign Statement on Signing of H.R. 3590 and Passage of H.R. 4872
On March 25, 2010, Congress passed H.R. 4872, the Reconciliation Act of 2010. The passage of this budget reconciliation package includes important previously agreed upon modifications to the Senate health reform legislation (H.R. 3590 – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) which was passed earlier in the week. The National Campaign released the following statement on the signing of H.R. 3590 and the passage of H.R. 4872.
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National Campaign Statement on Passage of Landmark Health Reform Legislation
On March 21, 2010, the United States House of Representatives passed HR. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, by a vote of 219-212.
The passage of the health reform measure, which was previously approved by the U.S. Senate in December, clears the way for the package to be signed into law by the President early this week. The National Campaign released the following statement on this ground breaking legislation.
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National Campaign Statement on President's Proposed FY2011 Budget
President Obama’s FY 2011 budget proposal released on February 1, 2010 provides continued investments in several programs that help reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy, including increased funding over FY 2010 levels in several cases.
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National Campaign Statement on the Teen Pregnancy Increase
The National Campaign released the following statement on new, sobering teen pregnancy data released by the Guttmacher Institute in January 2010. The report provides national data through 2006 state-level through 2005, and highlights a three percent increase in the teen pregnancy rate between 2005 and 2006 (as was predicted by the increase in the teen birth rate during the same time period.) Read the statement
View National Data
View State Data
National Campaign Statement on Congress' Passing the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative Into Law
The National Campaign released the following statement on behalf of the Senate's passage of a package of spending bills for FY 2010,
which included a historic new investment in efforts to prevent teen pregnancy. The House of
Representatives approved the spending bills last Thursday (12/10/09), and the President is expected to sign it into law by Friday, December 18th.
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National Campaign Statement on Senate Finance Committee 10/13/09 Vote
On October 13, 2009, the Senate Finance Committee passed its health reform bill, which includes a substantial and much-needed investment in teen pregnancy prevention programs. The Personal Responsibility Education for Adulthood Training (PREAdulthood Training) program would provide a total of $75 million to help young people avoid teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including $50 million to states and territories for proven, evidence-based programs each year for the next five years. As an organization dedicated to preventing teen and unplanned pregnancy and deeply committed to research and evidence, we applaud Chairman Baucus and the committee for the focus on strong science.
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National Campaign Letter of Support for The Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2009
The National Campaign sent the following letter to Sen. Evan Bayh, author of The Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2009 Act, and a similar letter of support to Rep. Danny Davis, author of the House companion bill, The Julia Carson Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2009. The legislation includes an important provision that would help engage teen boys and men in efforts to reduce both teen and unplanned pregnancy. To date there are 3 co-sponsors in the Senate and nearly 30 in the House.
Read the statement
Read the full text of the legislation
Get more information on promoting responsible fatherhood through pregnancy planning and prevention
National Campaign Statement in Support of the House of Representatives Passage: Initiative to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
The National Campaign applauds the House of Representatives for including funding for what would be the first and only federal funding stream dedicated to evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs in its FY 2010 Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations bill and urges the Senate to include a similar provision in its appropriations bill.
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National Campaign Statement in Support of the Ryan DeLauro Bill
The National Campaign has long believed that reducing conflict and respecting a range of deeply held opinions is essential to making progress on the important issue of reducing both teen and unintended/unplanned pregnancy. The Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act, authored by Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Tim Ryan (D-OH), is an important example of this reasonable, inclusive perspective.
Read the Statement
Read the full Bill here
Read a 1-page summary of the Bill here
Read a 4-page summary of the Bill here
Read statements of support for the Bill here
National Campaign Statement on the President’s FY10 Budget
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National Campaign Comments on Finance Coverage Options
In response to the Senate Finance Committee’s request for comment on its proposal, Expanding Health Care Coverage: Proposals to Provide Affordable Coverage to All Americans, The National Campaign submitted the following to ensure that opportunities for promoting pregnancy planning and prevention are fully integrated into the Committee’s health reform efforts.
Download National Campaign Comments on Finance Coverage Options
National Campaign Statement on Emergency Contraception 2009
Campaign Director Sarah Brown responds to the 2009 FDA decision regarding emergency contraception.
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Rescission Proposal Comments
The National Campaign submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services in support of the Obama Administration’s proposal to rescind the rule enacted by the Bush Administration entitled, ““Ensuring That Department of Health and Human Services Funds Do Not Support Coercive or Discriminatory Policies or Practices in Violation of Federal Law,” which could adversely affect access to contraception in the U.S. and exacerbate the nation’s already high rates of teen and unplanned pregnancy.
Download a copy of the latest statement
Administrative Actions to Reduce Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
The new Administration will have a powerful platform from which to make progress on reducing both teen pregnancy as well as unplanned pregnancy more generally. Doing so will help reduce poverty, improve educational outcomes, strengthen the workforce, enhance health, promote personal responsibility, and reduce costs.
Download Administrative Actions to Reduce Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
Health Reform Recommendations
Recognizing that health reform will be a top priority for the new Administration and given the health and economic benefits of pregnancy planning and prevention, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy offers a number of recommendations for improving pregnancy prevention and planning within the context of health reform efforts.
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Briefly - Policy Brief: Thoughts for Elected Officials About Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
As newly-elected officials at the national, state, and local level prepare to take office, this document poses a few questions and offers some key data for elected officials at all levels to consider. We hope it sparks a new conversation and inspires new action about these important issues.
Download Briefly - Policy Brief: Thoughts for Elected Officials About Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
Briefly: Some Thoughts on Abstinence
One of the questions we are most frequently asked is, “What is the National Campaign’s position on
abstinence?” This research brief discusses our take on abstinence from a variety of angles in the hopes of a giving a thorough - but brief - answer to a complex question.
Download Briefly: Some Thoughts on Abstinence
"Provider Conscience" Regulation Comments
These comments were submitted by National Campaign CEO Sarah S. Brown to the Department of Health and Human Services in response to the solicitation for comments on a proposed regulation seeking to codify the right of refusal for institutions and individuals working at institutions to participate in or provide abortion or sterilization services.
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National Campaign Statement on Abstinence-Only Education
These comments were submitted by National Campaign CEO Sarah S. Brown to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform during a hearing on domestic abstinence-only programs.
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National Campaign Letter of Support NCHS
This letter was sent to key appropriators and Congressional leadership in support of funding for the National Center on Health Statistics.
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National Campaign Letter of Support for Title X
National Campaign CEO Sarah Brown wrote this letter to David Obey, the Chair of the House Comittee on Appropriations, in support of past and future funding dedicated to Title X.
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New Data on Abstinence Education Released
In response to a new evaluation of abstinence-only programs released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy released a statement from CEO Sarah Brown.
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National Campaign Comments on the White House Task Force on Disadvantaged Youth
The National Campaign submitted comments in January 2003 for the White House Task Force for Disadvantaged Youth that was formed earlier this year to 'develop a comprehensive Federal response, under existing authorities and programs, to the problems of youth failure, with a focus on enhanced agency accountability and effectiveness.'
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Senate Finance Committee Testimony
Campaign President Isabel Sawhill, Ph.D., testified before the Senate Finance Committee on May 16, 2002 on welfare reform.
Download a copy (PDF)
House Subcommittee on Human Resources Testimony
Campaign President Isabel Sawhill, Ph.D., testified before the Subcommittee on Human Resources, Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives on April 11, 2002.
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House Subcommittee on Human Resources Testimony
The U.S. House Ways & Means Human Resources Subcommittee held a hearing on teen pregnancy prevention on November 15, 2001.
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National Campaign Statement on Emergency Contraception 2003
Campaign Director Sarah Brown responds to the 2003 FDA decision regarding emergency contraception.
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