Early End to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Funding Will Harm Many People, DeGette and Slaughter Say

WASHINGTON, DC – On the news that the Trump administration will suddenly end hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the federal Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, Congresswomen Diana DeGette and Louise Slaughter, co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus issued the following statement:

"The teen pregnancy rate is at a near record low thanks in part to the TPPP. For seven years, this program has served more than a million young people with evidence-based programs that have proven effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. Disrupting current funding in this unprecedented way will deny young people the facts while also curtailing jobs and vital community programs. Further, the abrupt cut-off mid-stream means that the 33 current state-wide projects under this program will be dramatically reduced or even eliminated. The Trump administration will apparently go to any lengths to meddle in Americans' health decisions."

The administration told researchers it would end the five-year funding stream for TPPP programs and research two years early, according to media reports. Many of the current 81 programs help curb teen pregnancies in areas where those rates are highest, including Native American and rural communities.

On July 25, 149 members of Congress sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price expressing concern over the decision to cut theseprogramsand requesting an explanation. The letter can be found here.