Prevention First!

The opening day of the 110th Congress was marked by the introduction of the Prevention First Act (S. 21). A little over 2 weeks before the January 22, anniversary of Roe v. Wade, this proposed bill is a cost-effective, health service approach to lower the abortion rate and promote good health.

According to a Harris Poll last year, 89% of Americans believe people should have more access to information about birth control options. The Prevention First Act calls for:

• Full funding of Title X (America's family planning program)
• Protecting teenagers with real sex education
• Expanding Medicaid to provide coverage for family planning services.

This bill could be the beginning to lowering the high rates of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in the United States. One in every three babies conceived is by accident. Increasing knowledge about available contraceptives and providing more funding for family planning services could help avoid millions of unintended pregnancies each year.