Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Introduces Bill Aimed at Preventing Unintended
Pregnancies, Improving Women's Health

     (Kaisernetwork) Members of the Bipartisan Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus on Wednesday introduced the Putting Prevention First Act (HR 4192) which combines a new funding initiative and six existing bills into one measure aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies, reducing the number of abortions and improving women's health, The Hill reports (Bouchard, The Hill, 4/22). The Putting Prevention First Act is a "comprehensive family planning initiative," according to a release from caucus Co-Chair Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.). The legislation would increase funding for Title X of the Public Health Service Act to $643 million for fiscal year 2005 from $278 million for FY 2004. Clinics that receive Title X funding offer women's health services, including programs to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and detect breast and cervical cancer. The legislation also would roll together existing measures, including:

     Family Planning State Empowerment Act (S 1429), which would allow states to expand Medicaid family planning services to women with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level without having to file a government waiver;

     Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act (HR 2727/S 1396) which would require private health insurance plans to cover FDA-approved prescription contraceptives and "related medical services" at the same rate as other prescription drugs and outpatient medical services;

     Emergency Contraception Education and Information Act (HR 1812 / S 896)which would provide $10 million to implement public education initiatives about EC and its benefits and uses to women and health care providers;

     Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act (HR 2527)which would require hospitals receiving federal funding to provide without delay EC to sexual assault survivors who request it. The measure also would require hospitals to provide "medically, factually accurate and unbiased written and oral information" about EC to sexual assault survivors;

     Family Life Education Act (HR 3469), which would provide $100 million annually to states for comprehensive sex education -- including information on abstinence and contraception; and

     Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Act (HR 3581), which would provide $20 million in annual funds for competitive grants to public and private groups for teen pregnancy prevention programs (Slaughter release, 4/21).

'Too Little Action'

     Slaughter said, "Improving women's health and reducing unintended pregnancies are goals that everyone in Congress can agree on. This measure provides sensible solutions that we know will work" (The Hill, 4/22). Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, said that the act would "empowe[r] women to make educated decisions," adding, "Only by improving education, by increasing access to contraception, by bettering prenatal health care and by expanding health care options for women can we reduce the number of unintended pregnancies" and STD cases. DeGette said, "We have introduced this bill to promote these vital issues that get paid too much lip service and see too little action" (DeGette release, 4/21).

Reaction

     Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States President and CEO Tamara Kreinin said that the "wide range of reproductive and sexual health components" included in the legislation are "critical to any responsible prevention package." She added, "All people deserve open and honest sexual health information and access to affordable reproductive and sexual health care services throughout their lives so that they can protect themselves from unintended pregnancy and disease. ... This initiative is an important step in making that a reality" (SIECUS release, 4/21). Linda Klepacki, manager of Focus on the Family's abstinence policy department, said that the Family Life Education provision of the legislation is "deceptive," according to a Focus on the Family release. She said that the measure "likely will use euphemisms to veil its true purposes," adding, "Disguising a risk-reduction program as a risk-prevention program is a common ploy for 'safe-sex' promoters. In marketing jargon, such sleight of hand is known as bait and switch" (Focus on the Family release, 4/21).

Source: Kaisernetwork
Publish Date: April 26, 2004