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Anniversary of family planning celebrated

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By Jeffrey N. Maurus, Rock Island | Friday, May 16, 2008 |

The 43rd anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut was celebrated in Washington, D.C., by the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) recently. Griswold was the landmark Supreme Court decision recognizing an individual’s right to privacy in family planning matters.

NFPRHA is the nation’s dedicated family planning advocate, especially for low-income Americans. In particular, NFPRHA advocates for increased funding for Title X, the only federally funded program dedicated to family planning.

Each year Title X- funded programs serve over five million low-income Americans in over 4,400 clinics, including Family Planning Program of the Rock Island County Health Department and Edgerton Women’s Health Center. These clinics prevent an estimated 1.3 million pregnancies and 630,000 abortions each year in the United States. For each Title X dollar spent nearly $4 is saved on pregnancy and newborn costs.

Despite Title X’s proven success it is only funded at $283 million a year, rather than the $759 million that would have occurred if adjusted for inflation. By doing so less than 40 percent of low-income Americans in need are served. Thanks to the efforts of several senators and representatives, including Obama and Braley, Title X funding was increased by $17 million this year.

The majority of Americans who define themselves as pro-life, support family planning and the prevention of abortion. The great majority of Americans support the goal of NFPRHA of preventing unwanted pregnancy and abortion by providing comprehensive education, contraception, counseling and health services people need to act responsibly, stay healthy, and plan their families.