NARAL Pro-Choice Texas : News : Press Releases

12/1/11 12:06 PM

Prevention First Solutions Urged From House Committees

Posted: 03/26/2007

Bills contain commonsense solutions to help prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion
Austin, TX NARAL Pro-Choice Texas praised the public hearings of two Prevention First initiatives today in committees of the Texas House of Representatives (HB 268 and HB 1842). NARAL Pro-Choice Texas strongly endorses both bills, which contain commonsense solutions to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion. "Texans want our lawmakers to unite behind a solution-oriented agenda that protects womens privacy and improves their heath-care options," Carol Drennan, interim executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas said. "Contraceptive Equity and The Prevention First Act of 2007 give legislators an opportunity to focus on commonsense ways to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion. We thank the sponsors of these bills for their unwavering commitment and leadership in advancing this thoughtful legislation that Texans on both sides of the choice debate can support." HB 268 will be heard by the House Insurance Committee today at 2pm or upon adjournment in E1.026; and HB 1842 will be heard in House State Affairs Committee at 2pm or upon adjournment in E2.010. Background on HB 268 and HB 1842: Rep. Anchias (D-Dallas), Contraceptive Equity bill, HB 268, calls for an end to the discriminatory practice of insurance companies providing coverage for prescription drugs, devices and services but denying coverage of contraception for women. Twenty-six states have passed similar comprehensive laws or regulations ensuring equity in private insurance coverage for prescription contraception; including Arkansas, New Mexico and West Virginia. The Prevention First Act of 2007, increases access to family-planning services, ensures teens receive honest, realistic sex education and promotes parental involvement in the sex education curriculum. HB 1842 includes a companion bill in the Texas Senate. A bi-partisan group of lawmakers from regions across Texas sponsored these bills. Sponsors include Rep. Mark Strama (D-Austin) and Rep. Straus (R-San Antonio). In conjunction with the introduction of the Texas Prevention First Act of 2007, over 1,200 Texans signed the Prevention First pledge and contacted their elected officials asking them to support Prevention First initiatives on NARAL Pro-Choice Texas web site, www.TexasPreventionFirst.org,. The Prevention First initiatives are crucial given that: 80 percent of Texans support an increase in funding for family planning; 90 percent of Texans support teaching comprehensive sex education in public schools; Texas has the nations highest teen pregnancy rate; and Texas funds one out of every two births in the state through Medicaidthats $8,500 per pregnancy compared to an annual cost of $170 per woman for a preventive well-woman exam and year of contraceptives. ###

NARAL Pro-Choice Texas

http://www.prochoicetexas.org/news/press/200703261.shtml

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