Action Alert: Sex Education Sure to Be Part of Health Care Debate in Senate
Abstinence education funding is partially restored within the Senate Health Care Bill, a result of the Reid reconciliation of versions offered by the Senate HELP and Finance committees. The Reid bill also includes state block grant funding for so-called "comprehensive" sex education, which primarily focuses on risk reduction, while abstinence education focuses on risk avoidance. Earlier this fall, an abstinence amendment passed with bipartisan support in the Finance committee. Offered by Sen. Hatch (R-UT), the amendment would continue the Title V state funding for abstinence education through 2014. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) added the provision on page 618 of the 2,074 page health care proposal.
"Inserting language to restore funding for abstinence education could not have come at a more critical time. The recent CDC statistics detailing epidemic levels of STDs calls for a strong primary prevention message — a strategy only found within abstinence education” noted Valerie Huber, Executive Director of NAEA.
"Much work remains before Congress finishes its work on health care. Today's news is a welcome sign at this critical stage, but we will continue our efforts until youth are again assured continued abstinence education in their schools" added Huber.
We must be engaged during every step of this process and this first step is very important. Remember, it matters little what your views of the health-care overhaul are. Although this amendment is a part of the health care bill, your calls and recommendations are specific only to abstinence education — our single issue concern. Senators may support the amendment and vote for the final health care bill...or they may support the amendment and vote against the final health care bill. It is vital, however, that they receive many, many calls from their constituents throughout the week.
Click Here for Newsweek article.
Action Item:
We must be engaged during every step of the process in the Senate. We expect an effort on the floor to remove or dilute the provision that continues funding for abstinence education. These efforts must NOT succeed.
Remember, it matters little what your views of the health-care overhaul are. Although this amendment is a part of the health care bill, your calls and recommendations are specific only to abstinence education. Senators may support the funding of abstinence education and vote for the final health care bill...or they may support the insertion of abstinence education funding and vote against the final health care bill. It is vital, however, that they receive many, many calls from their constituents throughout the ongoing process. Call each of your two Senators now and continue calling until you learn if they will support continued funding for abstinence education, as included in the health care reform bill before the Senate.
Sample language: “I urge you to support the RESTORATION OF FUNDING FOR ABSTINENCE EDUCATION as included in the Reid Senate health care proposal. The language must remain intact, without any changes. Can I count on the Senator’s support?”
Then let NAEA know how your Senator responded to your request. Email info@abstinenceassociation.org with information from your call.
Encourage your friends, neighbors and colleagues to call as well.
Call your Senator’s district office as we expect the Capitol Hill Switchboard to be flooded with other healthcare issue concerns. To find your Senators’ district office, click here.
November 23, 2009
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