Fact Sheets
Harris, I. B., & Schulte, N. F. (1993).
Should Taxpayers Fund Abortions for Poor Women? (PDF)
Zero to Three, 13(6), 18-24.
Separately, the issues of abortion and taxes are controversial; together they are incendiary. As a result, much heat but little light gets generated in the public discussion of Medicaid funded abortions... [C]hange is likely, either for women whose private insurance policies usually do cover abortions or for indigent women who rely on the Medicaid program, which seldom pays for abortions.
Our current two-tiered system of abortion services - available to women with insurance or private resources, but largely unavailable to women needing publicly subsidized care - is no accident. Read more...
Gold, R. B. (2003, March).
Lessons from Before Roe: Will Past be Prologue?
Retreived June 21, 2006 from guttmacher.org/pubs/ib_5-03.html
"[I]t is instructive to look back at the choices available—and not available—to women before abortion was made legal nationwide. The toll the nation's abortion laws took on women's lives and health in the years before Roe was substantial. Although the world may not be the same as it was three decades ago, Roe's reversal would likely herald the return to a two-tier system in which safe abortion was available to some Americans but out of reach of many in need." Read more....
Planned Parenthood. (1996, June).
Access to Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care Services. (PDF)
Responsible Choices Planned Parenthood.
In 1990, 30.5 million of reproductive age were at risk of unintended pregnancy. More than half of these, or 15.1 million, were poor, near-poor, or teens -- in other words, those who are in need of subsidized contraceptive services -- including 2.9 million who were African-American and 2 million who were Hispanic.
Despite reductions in unwanted fertility during the past two decades, American women still experience 3.6 million unintended pregnancies each year. Read more...
Planned Parenthood. (2005, February).
Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Through EC Access. (PDF)
Responsible Choices Planned Parenthood.
According to one study, it is estimated that up to half of all unintended pregnancies and abortions can be prevented through greater access to EC - a special does of ordinary oral contraceptives.
Since EC must be taken within a limited time period to be effective, and because the sooner it is taken the more effective it is, it is imperative that women have quick access to the medication. Read more...
Planned Parenthood. (2005, January).
The Status of Abortion in Illinois. (PDF)
Responsible Choices Planned Parenthood.
The decline in the number of abortions to minors as well as older women has declined despite the fact that Illinois has no major restrictions on access to abortion (except for Medicaid eligible women). Illinois does not require waiting periods, mandated lectures, or parental notification/consent - all of which anti-choice advocates claim will lead to decreased numbers of abortions. Instead, it appears that Illinois is following national trends in the decrease of teen pregnancies overall. Read more...
Planned Parenthood. (2005, March).
Responsible Sex Education. (PDF)
Illinois Campaign fo Responsible Sex Education.
According to a February 2005 statewide survey of Illinois residents, the public overwhelmingly supports responsible sex education in public schools. This support is consistent throughout the state - support is strong in rural and urban areas, as well as in Chicago, central, and southern Illinois.
We need to teach that abstinence is best, but make sure that students also get information on prevention, diseases, and responsibility. Read more...
Planned Parenthood. (2005, February).
Misinformation and Mandatory Delay Before Abortion.
Responsible Choices Planned Parenthood.
Misinformed consent requirements mislead women, threaten physicians with litigations and loss of license, and cost the State money.
The principles of informed consent already are embodied in the basic standards of the medical profession and bind physicians to tell women about alternatives to abortion and to obtain informed consent before performing and abortion. Read more...