Study Shows Access To Birth Control Dramatically Drops Abortion Rates

Free birth control led to dramatically lower rates of abortions and teen births, a large study concludes. The findings were eagerly anticipated and come as a bitterly contested Obama administration policy is poised to offer similar coverage.

The project tracked more than 9,000 women in St. Louis, many of them poor or uninsured. They were given their choice of a range of contraceptive methods at no cost — from birth control pills to goof-proof options like the IUD or a matchstick-sized implant.

When price wasn't an issue, women flocked to the most effective contraceptives — the implanted options, which typically cost hundreds of dollars up-front to insert. These women experienced far fewer unintended pregnancies as a result, reported Dr. Jeffrey Peipert of Washington University in St. Louis in a study published Thursday.

The effect on teen pregnancy was striking: There were 6.3 births per 1,000 teenagers in the study. Compare that to a national rate of 34 births per 1,000 teens in 2010.

Surprise, surprise.  I've never understood how a rational person could be against abortion and birth control. This confirms what we knew all along - though those pesky facts will not likely derail those who are fighting to restrict birth control or regulations forcing insurers to cover it.

In a tight economy it makes sense to plan families.  Whether single or married, rich or poor, there are thousands of reasons to have or not have a child.  We don't belong in those decisions, but allowing those who don't want to raise children or cannot at this time a choice, we are helping people all around.