Jan. 25, 2007 Common Sense Legislation Is Needed to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies—Health and Social Service Advocates Host Prevention Now Rally at the Statehouse on Feb. 8

INDIANAPOLIS - The Health Access and Privacy Alliance (HAPA) will host a rally at the Indiana Statehouse on Feb. 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to encourage legislators to improve access to birth control and sexuality education for Hoosier women and men.

During this legislative session, Planned Parenthood and other family planning advocates will be encouraging lawmakers to support legislation that includes a series of common sense proposals to help prevent unintended pregnancy and to reduce the need for abortion. These measures would ensure access to family-planning services and give parents greater insight into what is being taught in sex education classes, while making certain that what is being taught in those classes in medically accurate.

"There is a great deal of interest in reducing the number of abortions. There is a right and proven way to do that. It is time for anti-choice politicians to enact legislation that actually results in fewer unintended pregnancies, rather than wasting time and tax dollars on abortion restrictions that disproportionately affect poor women," said Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana. "To reduce the incidence of abortion, we must improve access to education and health services that help Hoosiers make responsible decisions."

Indiana ranks 49th in the nation in publicly funded access to family planning and contraceptive services, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Indiana also has the 31st highest teenage pregnancy rate in the nation; 31 Hoosier teens ages 10-19 becoming pregnant every day. Further, 13 percent of all Hoosier women ages 15 - 44 live in poverty and 53 percent of all births in the state are paid for by Medicaid.

By increasing access to contraception, Indiana could save millions of dollars in public funds that support births related to unintended pregnancy.

In 2005, Indiana spent over $2 million on abstinence-only education programs that preclude educators from providing information on family planning, contraception or disease risk-reduction methods. However, comprehensive sexuality education programs that encourage abstinence and teach teens about the effective use of contraceptives are proven to be more effective. Also, according to a 2001 study, teens who participate in these programs delay the onset of sexual activity and are more likely to increase the use of condoms and other contraceptives when they do have sex.

"It's time for Hoosiers to take a pragmatic approach to reducing unintended pregnancy," said Kaye McSpadden, president of the Indiana Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (IRCRC). "The Prevention First measures are designed to reduce unintended pregnancy by increasing access to contraception and honest information about sexuality. The rally will show the widespread support these measures have, even in the faith community."

Planned Parenthood is calling for legislators to listen to Hoosiers and focus on Prevention. Hoosiers interested in taking a stand for women and families can attend the Prevention Now Rally at the Statehouse on Feb. 8, 2007, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The IRCRC also invites Hoosiers of faith to come early to the statehouse for "Sacred Values: a multifaith celebration of freedom, health, and justice." The Sacred Values event will precede the rally at 10 a.m.; a light brunch will be provided.

Buses are available in the following communities for easy transportation: Bloomington, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Lafayette/West Lafayette, Madison/New Albany, Merrillville, Mishawaka, Muncie and Terre Haute. Seats are limited.

For more information or to reserve bus seats, call (317) 637-4362 or visit www.ppin.org

This event is sponsored by the members of the Health Access & Privacy Alliance, a coalition of organizations that is concerned with the health, safety and well-being of Indiana women and families: American Civil Liberties Union-Indiana; Attorneys for Choice; Center for Inquiry - Community of Indiana; Clinic For Women; Congregation Beth-El Zedeck; Hadassah - Indianapolis Chapter; Indiana Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation; Jewish Community Relations Council; League of Women Voters of Indiana; League of Women Voters-Muncie; Delaware County; National Association of Social Workers Indiana Chapter; National Council of Jewish Women-Indianapolis Chapter; NOW-Indiana; NOW-Indianapolis; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana; Planned Parenthood of Indiana; Purdue University-VOX; Women's Med Center of Indianapolis and Women's Pavilion.