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New Contraceptive Study Proves that Access to No Co-Pay Birth Control — as Provided in the Affordable Care Act — Leads to Significantly Lowered Abortion Rates

Meanwhile, Romney/Ryan Vow to Repeal Obamacare and the Birth Control Benefit on Day One

Washington, DC — Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, issued the following statement in response to a Contraceptive CHOICE Study finding that access to no co-pay birth control — as is outlined in the Affordable Care Act — leads to significantly lowered abortion rates.

“This study demonstrates that the Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit providing access to contraception without co-pays could dramatically reduce unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion in the United States. Even so, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have both vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and in a recent campaign speech, Paul Ryan said he would get rid of the contraception mandate on day one. This proves yet again how out of touch politicians like Romney and Ryan are with their lack of support for women’s health and the health of communities across this country.”

At a campaign event in Orlando, FL, vice-presidential nominee, Paul Ryan, said that he will get rid of the birth control benefit on day one if the Romney/Ryan ticket is elected.

Millions of Americans stand to benefit from the Affordable Care Act. In August, the birth control benefit went into effect, making birth control available without co-pays or deductibles. On average, women spend up to $600 a year on birth control.

You can learn more about the CHOICE study here.

Additional facts about affordable and accessible birth control:
• Birth control has contributed to the advancement of women in the workplace by allowing them to plan for their futures and invest in their careers.
• Research finds that availability of the pill is responsible for a third of women’s wage increases relative to men.
• By the 1980s and ’90s, the women who had early access to the pill were making eight percent more each year than those who did not.