Pro-life programs reduce abortions.

• Position: Pregnancy

The first U.S. study to examine the long- and short-term effects of public policy on abortion rates has been released by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, Washington, D.C. The findings reveal that social and economic supports for women and families dramatically reduce the number of abortions. The study offers compelling findings that pro-life and -choice leaders from both political parties can unite behind to reduce abortions.

The study of all U.S. states from 1982-2000 finds that benefits for pregnant women and mothers, employment, economic assistance to low-income families, quality child care for working mothers, and removal of state caps on the number of children eligible for economic assistance in low-income families have reduced abortions.

In contrast, permitting Medicaid payments for abortions increased the rate. "Too often, our abortion debate has been used to score political points by both sides, rather than to identify what kinds of public policies will actually prevent and reduce abortions in America," asserts Alexia Kelley, executive director. '%his data shows that policymakers on both sides of the aisle have a moral imperative to enact legislation that provides economic and social supports...