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Strip the Hatch Amendment (abstinence-only-until-marriage funding) from Health Care Reform

To: The U.S. House and The U.S. Senate

Strip the Hatch Amendment from Health Care Reform
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has pushed through an amendment in the Senate Finance Committee authorizing $50 million in funding for abstinence-only programs as part of Health Care Reform- despite over 10 years of evidence that these programs do not work. Tell your Senators it's time to stop these programs once and for all and support and become a co-sponsor of The REAL Act.

The Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act (S. 611/H.R.1551) sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), would provide federal money to support responsible, comprehensive sex education in schools. This education would include age-appropriate, science-based, and medically accurate information about both abstinence and contraception. Currently, there are no dedicated federal funds allocated for comprehensive sex education in schools.

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Sign the Letter

Please strip The Hatch Amendment and support The REAL Act

Dear Representative,

I am disappointed and outraged that the Senate Finance Committee passed the Hatch Amendment – reinstating $50 million in funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs as part of Health Care Reform. As your constituent and as someone who cares about the future of young people in the United States, I am writing to ask you to strip the Hatch Amendment from the final Health Care Reform bill in the Senate. Health Care Reform is a critically important task for this Congress and it should not be hijacked by ideologically motivated earmarks. Moreover, study after study has shown that abstinence-only programs have no effect whatsoever. It is time for the federal government to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on these failed programs. I stand with the millions of Americans who support teaching both abstinence and contraception. A 2004 survey by National Public Radio/Kaiser Family Foundation /Harvard University Kennedy School of Government found that 86% of voters want young people to receive a comprehensive approach to sex education that includes teaching about both abstinence and contraception. Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs ignore scientific research, the recommendations of medical experts, overwhelming public opinion – and basic common sense. As Health Care Reform moves forward in the Senate, I would again ask that you please work to strip the Hatch Amendment from the final bill and instead, support The Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act (S. 611/H.R.1551) sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA). The REAL Act would provide federal money to support responsible, comprehensive sex education in schools. This education would include age-appropriate, science-based, and medically accurate information about both abstinence and contraception. Young people all across America are counting on you to do the right thing. And so am I.

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Kim Carter Van Wert, OH

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