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Statement of Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey on the Introduction of the Preventing Unintended Pregnancy, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act.

Bill Will Support Individuals in Responding to Unintended Pregnancy in a Manner Consistent with Their Values and Life Goals.

July 15, 2009

On behalf of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), I am pleased to support the Preventing Unintended Pregnancy, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act. I applaud Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Tim Ryan on their tireless efforts to develop legislation to expand access to reproductive health services and enhance life options for women.

This Act’s support for family planning services will allow an increased number of low-income and uninsured women to determine when and whether to have children according to their own conscience and religious beliefs. The Act’s provision for comprehensive sex education reflects the views of major faith traditions and their commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge to make responsible decisions. These faith communities take seriously their duty to instill a set of religious and moral values that will help guide young people to responsible life choices. They believe that it is the role of government to ensure that the nation’s youth receive the facts - unblemished by ideology - that will protect them from disease and unintended pregnancy.

Being of faith means being engaged in the world. And like it or not, the facts are clear: 95 percent of Americans have sex before marriage, 80 percent of teen pregnancies are unintended, and each year, 25 percent of American teens contract an STD. We want our young people to be safe. For that to happen, they must be informed by comprehensive sex education and have access to contraceptive services. Offering them anything less is irresponsible, dangerous and wrong.

Our hope is that these provisions will help eliminate the terrible disparity in access to reproductive health services that results in poor women being four times as likely to have an unintended pregnancy as their higher-income counterparts. Access to reproductive health information and services allows women to continue their education, thereby improving their economic status and the well-being of their families and their communities. U.S. religious denominations and an overwhelming majority of people of faith support the use of contraception and believe it is the moral and responsible path to follow.

The Act also provides much needed resources to help ensure a woman a healthy pregnancy and provides additional support that will make it possible for women who choose to continue their pregnancy to care for their children. RCRC and our members will continue to work hard to provide women the information and help they need to respond to unintended pregnancies in a manner consistent with their values and life goals.

We are grateful to Representatives DeLauro and Ryan for their commitment to the health and well-being of women and their families.