Members of Congress Find Common Ground on Contraceptives

Washington, DC - February 13, 2006

PAI strongly supports the "Ensuring Access to Contraceptives Act of 2006," recently-introduced legislation which transcends political differences by offering a sound approach to reducing the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions among women in the developing world. Led by Representatives Rob Simmons (R-CT) and Dennis Moore (D-KS), members of Congress with vastly different beliefs about abortion have agreed on the goals of this unique bill (H.R. 4736). Co-sponsors include Mark Kirk (R-IL), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Jim Oberstar (D-MN), Vic Snyder (D-AR), Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Michael Michaud (D-ME).

H.R. 4736 allows organizations to receive contraceptives donated by the United States even if they have opted not to sign the Mexico City Policy and, as a result, do not receive U.S. family planning funds. It also doubles the amount of funding that the United States currently spends on overseas distribution of contraceptives, including condoms.

More than 200 million women in the developing world – including more than one-third of married couples in countries such as Ethiopia, Haiti and Pakistan – lack access to the contraceptives they desire. In these countries, average birth rates are two to three times the average birth rates in the United States. This bill will go a long way toward helping women in developing nations who desperately want to plan the size of their families but are unable to obtain basic contraceptives – an unimaginable situation for women in the United States who can easily find birth control at their corner drug stores.

This bipartisan legislation accomplishes the goal set out by President Bush himself: "...one of the best ways to prevent abortion is by providing quality voluntary family planning services." PAI has documented that access to contraception prevents unintended pregnancies and reduces abortion rates; the contraceptives provided by this bill could help prevent an estimated 22 million induced abortions.

The "Ensuring Access to Contraceptives Act of 2006" brings consensus around a common goal: reducing unintended pregnancies, abortion, sexually transmitted-infections including HIV, and maternal and infant mortality. Ultimately, it provides Congress with a golden opportunity to demonstrate the United States' unfailing commitment to reducing abortion and improving the health of women and their families around the globe.

Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.