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Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Cites Family Planning as a Moral Value in Applauding Institute of Medicine Recommendations
Statement of Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO

July 19, 2011

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), the nation's interfaith organization supporting reproductive rights, applauds the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations on contraceptive coverage. At long last, our nation is on the verge of recognizing a moral value embraced across the religious spectrum: that our society has a responsibility to ensure that all people have access to the means to plan their families. RCRC also enthusiastically supports the full set of recommendations regarding women’s reproductive healthcare, noting that respect for human health is a basic religious value grounded in biblical teachings.

As organizations from diverse faith traditions, RCRC members recognize that family planning helps to build strong families, protect the health of women and children, reduce child and spousal abuse, and prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion. Coalition members include the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, Women’s Division of the United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Association, and the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements of Judaism, as well as other groups.

RCRC strongly urges the Obama administration to adopt the IOM recommendations in full, a crucial step to meet the health needs of millions of women.

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