Cuts lead to more abortions
Most conservatives are pro-life. Most conservatives are adamantly opposed to abortion. Most conservatives understand that the major cause of abortions is unwanted pregnancies. And most conservatives should know that the majority of unwanted pregnancies occur among teens.
Teen pregnancies have declined 61 percent since 1991, and some of that decline is the result of an aggressive program funded by the federal government. That program is the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program operated by the Office of Adolescent Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. It is an effective, evidence-based program that has produced results.
So one has to wonder why, on June 23, the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee cut 80 percent of previous spending for TPP from its appropriation bill. An effective program that reduces the number of abortions in this country was reduced to $20 million by the pro-life party. Can anyone explain why? I sure can’t.
Bob Wynhausen
Sandpoint