Anniversary Of Roe V. Wade Thursday

WASHINGTON – Withtomorrow's 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette(D-CO) and Louise Slaughter (D-NY), co-chairs of the Congressional ProChoice Caucus, celebrate this historic Supreme Court case by advancingan agenda to reduce the need for abortion through a comprehensiveapproach. U.S. Reps. DeGette and Slaughter recently introduced the Prevention First agenda – a comprehensive, bi-partisan approach to reducing unintended pregnancies.

"On January 22nd, we mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v.Wade decision - the landmark ruling that affirms women's constitutionalright to choose abortion," said U.S. Rep. DeGette, Vice Chair of theCommittee on Energy and Commerce.  "On this historic anniversary,Prevention First represents a comprehensive, science-based approach toachieve a goal shared by so many Americans – to prevent unintendedpregnancies and reduce the need for abortion."

"If we want to reduce the number of abortions in this country, themethodology is clear – empower women and men to prevent unintendedpregnancies through education and access to contraception," said U.S.Rep. Slaughter, Chair of the House Committee on Rules.  "As we mark theanniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision,Americans with differing viewpoints can find common ground with thecommon sense approach offered by Prevention First."

The anniversary of Roe v. Wade highlights the important goal ofPrevention First: to provide medically accurate, science-basedinformation and services to prevent unintended pregnancies, andtherefore, reduce the need for abortion. For decades, Americans ofdiffering viewpoints have fought in the courts over access to legalabortion. Prevention First, however, offers a uniting approach thatwill reduce unintended pregnancies and promote public health.

The Prevention First Agenda

·    Increase Funding for the National Family Planning Program (Title X).

·    Expand Medicaid Family Planning Services.

·    End Insurance Discrimination Against Women.

·    Improve Awareness about Emergency Contraception.

·    Provide Compassionate Assistance for Rape Victims.

·    Reduce Teen Pregnancy.

·    Ensure that All Federal Programs Provide Medically Accurate Information.