Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Senate Democratic Conference Secretary Patty Murray today announced the reintroduction of their Prevention First Act. This common sense, common ground legislation would help to reduce the staggering number of unintended pregnancies and resulting abortions, and improve access to women’s health care.
“There are few more divisive issues in America today than abortion, but there is an opportunity to find common ground if we are willing to join together and seize it,” said Senator Reid. “The rate of unintended pregnancies is unacceptably high. Working together, and with the Prevention First Act, we can reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and the resulting abortions in America today.”
“It is past time to put prevention first and I hope that the new Congress will act quickly on this critical legislation. By taking action, we can help reduce rates of unintended pregnancy, decrease abortions, improve access to women’s health care and make sure that all women have the family planning services they need,” said Senator Clinton.
“I am proud to support this legislation to improve access to safe and affordable family planning options,” said Senator Murray. “Expanding access to health care services and education programs is an important step in reducing unintended pregnancies and improving health care for women across America.”
The Prevention First Act would:
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Increase Funding for the National Family Planning Program (Title X). -
Expand Medicaid Family Planning Services. -
End Insurance Discrimination Against Women. -
Improve Awareness about Emergency Contraception (EC). -
Provide Compassionate Assistance for Rape Victims. -
Reduce Teen Pregnancy. -
Ensure that Federally -Funded Programs Provide Medically Accurate Information.
While opinions on both sides of the abortion debate are deeply held, there remains a need and an opportunity to find compromise and deliver results. The Prevention First Act is an important step forward towards finding common ground, reducing the number of unintended pregnancies and resulting abortions, and moving America forward.
