Davis Offers Common Sense Solution to Reducing Abortions
By: Mary Perren, Weekly Statehouse Column
Metro Source
Published in The Pulaski Citizen
September 26, 2006

U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Pall Mall, is putting the philosophy of a little less talk and a lot more action into practice with his plan to significantly reduce abortions.

His Pregnant Women Support Act is a comprehensive package of 14 proposals aimed at offering women more support to either carry a pregnancy to term and raise a child or give it up for adoption.

Agenda items include removing pregnancy as a pre-existing condition for the purpose of obtaining health insurance, expanding subsidized coverage to pregnant women and children through Medicaid and the state Children's Health Care Program, making adoption tax credits permanent, increasing funding for domestic violence programs, providing free home visits by registered nurses for new mothers and fully funding the federal Women, Infants and Children program.

The goal is to reduce the number of abortions by 95 percent over the next 10 years. Davis believes this can be done by helping women to make informed decisions, supporting pregnant women and assisting new parents.

Perhaps most importantly, the proposal rises above the polarizing politics that characterize the abortion debate at all levels of government.

Since 1973's landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalized abortion, war has been waged over the right to privacy versus the sanctity of life.

As members of the Supreme Court retire, pro-choice activists have become legitimately fearful that Roe's fate could be in jeopardy as new, more conservative justices receive lifetime appointments to the federal bench.

With a Republican president and a GOP-controlled U.S. Senate - which confirms any judicial nominees - that possibility is becoming less remote.

Add to that the pressure that elected officials receive from organized church groups who are vocally and morally opposed to abortion, and it creates a no-win situation for moderate politicians.

Unlike members of the pro-choice community, pro-life activists can use the church to gather and spread their message.

Perhaps, surprisingly, many religious groups have voiced overwhelming support for Davis' proposal. It has garnered nods from the National Association of Evangelicals, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education.

Even National Right to Life, which is unquestionably the largest and most influential organization in the pro-life movement, recognizes that Davis' bill "contains some very worthwhile provisions to assist pregnant women in choosing life."

The legislation was drafted with considerable help from Democrats for Life of America. Executive Director Kristin Day praised its emphasis on helping pregnant women during an after pregnancy by offering real support and solutions.

The Pregnant Women Support Act has so far received a lukewarm reception from Planned Parenthood officials, who are concerned that it doesn't do enough to prevent unintended pregnancies. They would like to see full funding of contraceptive options as well as a comprehensive sex education curriculum that goes beyond the traditional abstinence only teachings.

While more emphasis on pregnancy prevention would certainly be helpful, it is equally necessary to establish a comprehensive support system the likes of what Davis has proposed. Such an infrastructure is critical if we as a society truly want to offer compassionate care to women who find themselves in no-win situations due to unplanned pregnancies.

Since outlining the specifics of his legislation, Davis has received numerous requests from both Democrat and Republican colleagues to be added as co-sponsors to the bill. Hopefully the early swell of support will help it to breeze quickly through Congress and receive full levels of necessary funding to make it more than political window dressing offered up in an election year.

If elected officials are truly as pro-life as they claim to be, they can show it by signing on to and supporting Davis' common-sense approach to reducing abortions. A little less talk and a lot more action could make a big difference in a lot of lives.

Mary Perren is the Tennessee correspondent for Metro Source, a division of One Communications.