Title V Abstinence-Only Funding Proposal to Reauthorize with Important Fixes

Yesterday, as part of the Congress’ consideration of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the U.S. House proposed reauthorizing part of Title V of the Social Security Act, which provides states with $50 million in funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. The program is set to expire next month. The proposed reauthorization has improvements that would:

* require funded programs to contain medically and scientifically accurate information;
* give states the flexibility to use funds for more comprehensive programs which discuss abstinence, but may also include information on birth control;
* require funded programs to have been proven effective at decreasing teen pregnancy, STD, and HIV/AIDS rates.

“We commend the Democratic leaders in the House for tackling this difficult issue and recognizing that the future will not hold unlimited federal funding for the failed and extreme abstinence-only-until-marriage industry,” said William Smith, vice president for public policy at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS).

The measure passed the House 225-204. The Senate has not yet acted on Title V reauthorization.