WASHINGTON , D.C. ) - . Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), a member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), a member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus announced today that they have reintroduced common ground legislation to reduce the number of abortions in America .  The Reducing the Need for Abortions and Supporting Parents Act (HR 1074) would create programs to prevent teen pregnancy, expand Medicaid eligibility for family planning services, combat sexual assault and expand adoption programs.

This is a new direction on reducing unintended pregnancies and abortions in America one that will capture the needs of a changing world.  We will continue to have a vigorous debate over the legality of abortions, but as we have that debate, it is our moral obligation to also address those issues with which all sides agree. Only then can we claim to be serious about reducing the rate of abortions, said Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-17).

This is a consensus bill focused on the need to reduce abortion, while also providing supports for new parents to strengthen their families.  It represents new terrain on this issue.  And it moves the discourse in this country beyond the legalization of abortion and toward doing something to reduce the rate of abortion.  It is strong on prevention and contraception, strong on family support.  Absent these supports, you simply cannot reduce the rate of abortions, said Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3)

H.R. 1074 aims to reduce the abortion rate by preventing unintended pregnancies, supporting pregnant women, and assisting new parents.  One in five abortions are obtained by a teenager and 60 percent are obtained by women with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line.

Every dollar spent on family planning saves three dollars in Medicaid costs, said Congressman Ryan. A report released last year estimates that if we funded family planning and pregnancy related care at the same levels as Medicaid, which is a goal of our legislation, we could save $1.5 billion in net state and federal Medicaid savings.  This is both smart and compassionate.