Prevention, Supporting New Parents Will Reduce Abortion Rate

We all want to see fewer
abortions.  Our public policy must embrace a complete ethic of

human life that begins with helping women never have to come to that
decision in the first place.

To be sure, there are few issues in the political realm
more difficult, with greater moral complexity, than that of abortion. 
For some, it is a choice between protecting the life of unborn
children; for others, it is about protecting women's capacity — not
government's — to choose what is best for her and her family regardless
of social or economic circumstances.  To many observers, the battle
over abortion rights must seem one of competing absolutes.  And
unfortunately, the issue has played out that way politically, with
fewer issues more contentious and divisive than abortion.  You can see
why some would choose not to engage or even attempt to forge consensus
on such a difficult issue.

Whatever side of the issue we stand upon, it is clear
that this fight has reached a breaking point.  As a Catholic, as a
legislator and as a Democrat, I struggle everyday to determine how best
we can honor the dignity of every human life; for me — for all of us — it
is a matter of conscience.  At the same time, abortion has been a
winning issue for the Republican Party, a political weapon used to
drive conservatives to the polls election after election.  There is
some indication that may be changing; most Americans are not in favor
of making it harder for women to get an abortion.  But regardless of
public opinion, it is clear that the contention over the issue of
abortion is fraying our political process and keeping us from moving
forward.

That is why I was so pleased to have been able to
partner with my colleague from Ohio, Congressman Tim Ryan, and others
in developing legislation that finds true common ground on this issue. 
In focusing on the need to reduce abortion in our country, while also
providing supports for new parents to strengthen their families,
The Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act reflects real, principled consensus. 

For me, the legislation grew out of an earlier effort I
led with Catholic Democrats on both sides of the abortion debate,
including Congressmen Ryan.  Together, we drafted a statement of
principles released by 55 House Democrats who believed the time had
come to define ourselves and speak out about our vibrant moral agenda. 
This bill dovetails with that statement's declaration of the need to
find common ground on the goal of reducing the number of unintended
pregnancies. 

As such, I believe this legislation sends a message that we are serious about addressing the issue of abortion — that for all
of us, this is a matter of conscience; that we all want to see fewer
abortions; and that our public policy must embrace a complete ethic of
human life that begins with helping women never have to come to that
decision in the first place. 

The Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act
accomplishes that.   And it makes clear that people who support the
right to choose do not "celebrate abortion," as some have suggested.  It
is strong and comprehensive piece of public policy.  It recognizes that
absent prevention, absent contraception, and absent family planning, you
simply cannot reduce the rate of abortion.  Our bill not only
recognizes this — it says that there is so much we can do about it. 

It starts with prevention.  Among the legislation's
highlights are increased funding for Title X of the Public Health
Service Act, the only federal program dedicated solely to providing
contraceptive and related reproductive health care services to
low-income women. The most effective way to prevent unintended
pregnancies and abortions is to improve access to safe, affordable and
effective contraceptive methods, and Title X is a key part of that
effort.  It also restores the Medicaid entitlement to coverage of
Family Planning Service that was repealed in the Budget Reconciliation
bill, and provides grants to states to reduce teen pregnancy. 

But we must also create an environment that encourages
pregnancies to be carried to term — with promoting alternatives to
abortion, such as adoption, as well as improving access to children's
healthcare and child care.  Our bill would increase and expand the
adoption tax credit for all children.  It also gives states the option
to expand or add coverage of pregnant women under Medicaid and S-CHIP. 
In providing a comprehensive approach to this issue — from increased
funding for child care assistance to after-school programs to
nutritional support through food stamps — our approach promotes real
parental responsibility once the child is born.  And it does so by
reducing the economic pressures that can sometimes cause a woman to
decide not to carry a pregnancy to term. 

Of all the important goals The Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act can help us reach, perhaps the most important is that it helps move us all
forward on this issue — beyond the question of the legality of abortion
and toward actually reducing the rate of abortion.  It breaks the
stalemate and shows Democrats of all faiths are not only ready to take
action on this issue — but that we are ready to
lead.

The time has come to offer policy solutions that
promote life and support parents beyond the birth of their new child. 
In introducing this legislation, we affirm our principles as Democrats
and our commitment to promoting life.