Remember abstinence-only-until-marriage funding? You may not
remember, since President Obama chose not to provide Title V money, the funds for
abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, in his first budget. Advocates for
comprehensive sexuality education were thrilled with Obama’s move to fund “evidence-based”
teen pregnancy prevention programs.
Well, thanks to Senator Orrin Hatch (R – Utah), Title V
funding may be back. Anti-choice
advocates are taking advantage of the healthcare reform movement to further
their agenda.
Last year the ACLU of MAINE, as part of the Maine Choice Coalition,
sent a thank you letter to Governor Baldacci for rejecting Title V
abstinence-only-until-marriage funding. In the letter, we cited research from a
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. study authorized by Congress. Mathematica conducted
a rigorous, multi-year, scientific evaluation of four abstinence-only-until-marriage
programs and found that participating youth were just as likely to have sex
before marriage as youth who did not participate. In addition, when they became
sexually active, they were far less likely to take precautions against
unintended pregnancy and disease.[i] Such programs withhold and actively censor
vital health care information necessary for sexually active persons to make informed
and responsible decisions.[ii] Baldacci’s move allowed Maine schools to educate their students in
ways proven to lead to sexually healthy lives.
Hatch proposed an amendment to the healthcare bill currently
with the Senate Finance Committee. His amendment reinstates Title V funding for
abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.
Senator Olympia Snowe, along with the rest of her party members in the
Senate Finance Committee and Blanche Lincoln (D – AR) and Kent Conrad (D – ND),
voted in favor of Hatch’s amendment.
I have to ask. Mainers know these programs don’t work.
Governor Baldacci rejects these funds and has since Bush made them available. Why
is our Senator voting to reinstate funds for programs her constituents and
Governor reject?
Call Senator Snowe. Tell her you want a healthcare bill that
will respect our students by educating them with a wealth of information that
will lead to sexually healthy lives. Let her know we’re watching every vote,
and we will hold her accountable. (202)
224-5344. (Also, if that number is busy as it was when I just called, try reaching her Portland Office - (207) 874-0883.)