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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – (Washington, DC)—The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (The National Campaign) announces its support for the Access to Contraception for Women Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2017. The bill, introduced yesterday by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), will help to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces receive high quality education about the full range of contraceptive methods and related sexual health information—including what might be the best birth control method for them during a particular deployment.
The legislation will also ensure that all women covered by TRICARE, a health insurance program for service members, have coverage of the full range of birth control methods without co-pays, and women treated for sexual assault at military treatment facilities receive information and access to emergency contraception.
“All women who serve our country in the military should have the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to become pregnant,” said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO of The National Campaign. “This bill will help ensure that all servicewomen and their families will have high quality information and access to services so that they are able to plan and space their pregnancies. Doing so will not only strengthen our military, but also increase women’s educational and economic opportunities, improve maternal and infant health, strengthen families, result in fewer abortions, and reduce public and private costs for unplanned pregnancies.”
Polling shows strong support for women having more information about the full range of birth control methods. Seventy-four percent of adults in the United States (including 66% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats) agree that more people would use birth control if they knew about the many birth control methods available.
“When servicewomen have the information to choose the most appropriate contraceptive method for their situation, unplanned pregnancy will decline and our Armed Forces will be even stronger,” Ehrlich stated.
About The National Campaign: The National Campaign is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that seeks to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families by preventing teen and unplanned pregnancy. Please visit us at www.TheNationalCampaign.org
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