March 29, 2010

Health Reform Provision Secures $250 Million for Abstinence Education

A provision in the health care reform bill signed into law last week restores $250 million over five years for states to sponsor abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education programs, The Washington Post reports. Such programming was slated to lose all federal funding under President Barack Obama’s first two budgets.

“We’re very happy to see that funding will continue so the important sexual health message of risk avoidance will reach American teens,” said Valerie Huber, executive director of DC-based lobbying group, the National Abstinence Education Association. “What better place to see such an important health issue addressed than in the health legislation?”

Critics of this funding restoration cite recent data that prove abstinence education programs are ineffective in preventing unwanted teen pregnancies and transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

“To spend a quarter-billion dollars on abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that have already been proven to fail is reckless and irresponsible,” said James Wagoner of the DC group Advocates for Youth. “When on top of that you add the fact that this puts the health and lives of young people at risk, this becomes outrageous.”

During former president George W. Bush’s administration, abstinence-until-marriage programs received more than $100 million annually in direct federal funding and about $50 million each year in federal funding funneled through the states.

The health care reform legislation also includes $75 million annually over five years for a new “personal responsibility education” program, which would fund programs that teach young people about abstinence and contraception, including condoms. As such, Huber said, abstinence-only programs would not likely be eligible for these funds.

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Previous Comments:

Robert E., Canton, 2010-04-01 15:03:07
What about an abstinence-until-mutually-monogamous-relationship program for those of us who can not, or do not want to get married?

Richard, Redwood City, 2010-03-31 00:45:46
How about putting that money into teaching children to have sex responsibly. I think that's the biggest waste of money. We are sexual beings and telling kids to wait is like telling them to stay away from a brownie that's right there in front of them. What a shame. Money poorly spent and will have NO big effect on anyone in the long run. Just my 2 cents and at 49 years of age I think my idea is better!

Lynn S, Missouri, 2010-03-30 13:39:18
What a waste. $250 million for lip service. $250 million would do 41.5 million quick tests to check for HIV and serve as a reminder that such things as HIV exist. 500 million brochures that say don't have a banging good time will not kill the urges.

Getaclue, Oakland, CA, 2010-03-30 13:28:34
This is yet another DUMB idea that did not work the first time and here we are trying to appease the conservatives with this money. I think it is not the smartest idea to tell all of our young people about abstinence when none of them have done it, nor are they going to be doing it. Help me see how you are going to sell this when you have never had the experience?

Jay, Seattle, 2010-03-30 13:20:33
The sex drive will always over rule abstanance. Talk more about the emotions and force of nature AND safe sex practices. Listen to the song from Fantastics and learn that lession. Just say NO. Ha

JP, East Rutherford, NJ, 2010-03-29 18:02:50
Ugh. Alas, the political quid pro quo necessay to pass these bills is just now starting to rear its ugly head. Didn't we learn this isn't money well spent during the first years of PEPFAR. How can America show its progressive potential if it constantly forgets the errors of the past?