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Obama’s Culture of Life: Abortion Rate Drops by Largest Percentage Since 2000
Republicans like to call Obama and Democrats “baby killers”, and yet the total number and rate of reported abortions fell by 5% between 2008 and 2009.
That might not sound like a big change, but it is. In a newly released study, the CDC says, “The change from 2008 to 2009 represented the largest single year decrease in the total number and rate of reported abortions for the entire period from 2000 to 2009.” (2009 is the latest year for which there is data.)
It’s ironic that this occurred under President Obama, when the Republican Party has made abortion their banner issue.
Additionally, to that utterly incorrect smear of the right, “(F)rom 2000 to 2009 the number, rate, and ratio of reported abortions decreased 6%, 7%, and 8%, respectively, to the lowest levels for this entire period.” And, “91.7% of abortions were performed at ≤13 weeks’ gestation.”
In defiance of reality, Newt Gingrich accused President Obama of being a baby-killer when asked about his plan to have employers’ insurance plans cover contraception. Not true. (We note that as usual, Newt’s response was unrelated to the question, but these sorts of answers conveniently serve to reverse logic, in order to meld baby-killing with contraception with Obama in the public’s mind.)
There are many factors impacting abortion rates, but the single largest is unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy is the major contributor to abortion. The study concludes that what we must do is identify women at risk of unintended pregnancy and get them access to prevention, also known as birth control:
Because unintended pregnancies are rare among women who use the most effective methods of reversible contraception, increasing access to and use of these methods can help further reduce the number of abortions performed in the United States. The data in this report can help program planners and policy makers identify groups of women at greatest risk for unintended pregnancy and help guide and evaluate prevention efforts.
Yes, we could do that, if our policy makers actually wanted to deal with reality, but Republicans won’t let us. Republicans have already reduced access to birth control under the guise of “religious freedom”. Sadly, Republicans are using their alleged religious beliefs to generate more abortions by increasing the one sure thing that leads to an abortion – an unintended pregnancy.
Here’s a statistic that will most likely change given Republican-imposed restrictions to abortion, “(N)o women died as a result of a known illegal abortion.”
Given that unintended pregnancy precedes nearly all abortions, the researchers conclude that providing no-cost contraception can reduce abortion rates. “Research has shown that providing no-cost contraception increases use of the most effective methods and can reduce abortion rates (88,89). Removing cost as one barrier to the use of the most effective contraceptive methods might therefore be an important way to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and consequently the number of abortions that are performed in the United States.”
But while Republicans want to legislate medical care, they also want to restrict access to birth control. In fact, the same mostly white men who claim to be upset over abortion being legal are also adamantly opposed to contraception being covered under Obamacare. They claim they have religious reasons to oppose contraception, and yet they are also opposed to abortion. Their position does not make sense.
Republicans are posturing that they care about abortion by trying to make it illegal and defunding Planned Parenthood, which provides the very access to low cost contraception that drives down abortion rates.
Someone should explain these facts to Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), who is angry at Obama for wanting to fund Planned Parenthood, which he accused of being created for “the sole purpose of killing children…” Actually, Planned Parenthood reduces abortion rates, particularly among poor women, so Huelskamp wants to defund the organization that represents the real culture of life.
If anyone’s policies are deserving of the label “baby-killer”, it is the Republicans, right next to “women-killer” given the Republican National Party’s platform which seeks to pass a constitutional amendment that would extend legal rights to the unborn (essentially banning abortion in all cases). This is the same platform Republicans had in 2004 and 2008, and yet “year-to-year variation from 2006 to 2008 resulted in no net change during this later period.”
Republicans lost national security to President Obama and fiscal conservatism to both Clinton and Obama. Now they stand to lose their only remaining banner issue; abortion.
The largest single-year decrease since 2000 happened under President Obama in 2009. But even without these numbers, the data from the CDC supports Obama’s and the Democratic party’s policies as policies that reduce the number of abortions. Their policies seek to reduce abortions by providing low or no cost access to contraception. Obama’s policies are proven by research to actually work to reduce abortion. Obama’a policies also seek to protect women’s lives, thereby creating a real culture of life from either perspective.
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27 Responses to Obama’s Culture of Life: Abortion Rate Drops by Largest Percentage Since 2000
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Reynardine
Nov. 24th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Actually, Republicans just want to make it dangerous and frightening for women to have sex.
Steve Kellmeyer
Nov. 24th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
The reduction in abortion is George Bush’s fault.
Obama didn’t build that.
Obama publicly voted to allow born babies to die four times in the Illinois Senate.
Barack Obama is a baby killer – always has been.
SinghX
Nov. 24th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Steven! Sit up straight, fold your hands on your desk, no talking; now read the following sentences.
“…the data from CDC supports Obama’s and the Democratic party’s policies as policies that reduce the number of abortions. Their policies seek to reduce abortions by providing low or no cost access to contraception.”
There is no baby killing policy nor is anyone at “fault”. It’s all in your head…now pay attention!
You see, Stevie, abortion reduction is what happens when grown ups make decisions…decisions that are based on reason and facts–grown-up adults, like mommies and daddies, who are real people that do not base their lives on fairy tales, sky-gods, gossip, rumor and second hand information. These grown-ups have to work in order to feed mouths and pay the bills. And sometimes, they make decisions based on those facts, Stevie…do you understand? Abortion is an adult decision. Adults have the right to contraceptives. Adults have a right to plan their own family according to their needs and facts.
Now run along, Stevie and be a good boy. Go find a way to get a good education so you can stop making an ignorant fool of yourself every time you comment here.
Ignia
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 3:53 am
At the wish of being corrected, I assign presidential credit to this to Bush, as Obama was not sworn in until 2009 (after the touted section of interest). Now, we could claim credit for this as democrats, but then we’d also have to own ti the dramatic budget increase under Bush, and for many of the same reasons we blamed republicans for the debt and deficit.
Jason Easley
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Corrected you will be. The data covers the year 2009. You seem to be under the incorrect impression that the data runs from 2000 through 2008. This is not true. The data runs through the year 2009, which covers Obama’s first year in office.
Ignia
Nov. 26th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Apologies. The wording of the article (between 2008 and 2009) and the appearance of the graph (seeming to start in early 2000 and ending in early 2009) led me to that conclusion.
majii
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 1:33 am
It’s sad seeing someone still clinging to the debunked talking point that then-IL State Senator Barack Obama voted “to allow born babies to die four times.” It’s a lie, and it’s always been a lie. You evidently don’t understand how voting is done in the IL State Legislature. It’s a downright shame that so many Americans have allowed others to do their thinking for them, and that they feel no embarrassment in repeating the lies. In the IL State Legislature a “present” vote is a no vote.
From the Washington Post fact check:
“Under the rules of the Illinois legislature, a present vote effectively functions as a no vote because only yes votes count toward passage of a bill. Legislators vote “present” rather than “no” for a variety of tactical reasons, including making it more difficult for their political opponents to use their votes against them in campaign advertisements.”
1997 Votes
SB 230 Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. Senate approved bill 44-7, with five senators voting present, including Obama.
HB 382 Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. House version, passed Illinois State Senate, adopted as law. Under the bill, doctors who perform partial-birth abortions could be sent to prison for one to three years. The woman would not be held liable
2001 Votes
HB 1900 Parental Notice of Abortion Act. Bill passed 38-10, with nine present votes, including Obama.
SB 562 Parental Notice of Abortion Act. Bill passed Senate 39-7, with 11 present votes, including Obama.
SB 1093 Law to protect Liveborn children. Bill passed 34-6, with 12 present, including Obama.
SB 1094 Bill to protect children born as result of induced labor abortion. Bill passed 33-6, with 13 present, including Obama.
SB 1095 Bill defining “born alive” defines “born-alive infant” to include infant “born alive at any stage of development.” Bill passed 34-5, with nine present, including Obama.
voices.washingtonpost…
SinghX
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 7:36 am
Thank you for providing more informations, legislative facts on the issue (I was too tired to start research before bedding down).
People like the “commenter” have lots of contrary or conflicting mental loops of confusion that translate whatever they hear into their myopic view (there’s a word for “appearance of true”)…rumor, gossip, blatant lies are more palatable than actual facts, which they avoided.
IMHO, this not brainwashing or mind control dictated by sheer propaganda; it is a generational, social retar*ation layered atop of white entitlement that keeps the negative, disenfranchised trigger on the frontal lobes all the time…now that’s a shit-sandwich!
SinghX
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 7:39 am
Verisimilar—the appearance of truth.
Drew Murray
Nov. 24th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Steve, Obama has not killed any babies retard. He is a male – he cant get pregnant or have abortions. DUH!
The Commentater
Nov. 24th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
It looks like a downward trend with a few blips. The drive by media will give credit to Obama for anything they can distort into making him look good. Don’t they realize the election is over and they can quit carrying his water? Although, I guess they need to encourage themselve that the emperor has new clothes.
A Walkaway
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
It’s been said, and it’s a fact, that reality has a a liberal bias.
Chew on that.
Bart Wang
Nov. 24th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Reynardine, that is a dumb comment. You’re using inflammatory and exaggerated statements. Your bias is showing. Never mind covering it up, you should get rid of it. That’s the same tactic that the other side uses and it’s immature.
As for your comments, Steve, Bush Jr. had control of the White House for EIGHT YEARS. When did he act to outlaw abortion? Oh, that’s right, not once. Republicans talk a lot about making abortion illegal but never do. All posturing for their supporters, who buy the same empty message year-after-year-after-year.
Also, do you have evidence of Obama personally killing a single baby? Unlikely. Stop staying stupid shit like that. Guess how many people you’ll convince of your position given your presentation and insight? The same number of babies you and Obama have killed – zero.
Reynardine
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 8:45 am
After all the rape comments and women never die from pregnancy comments we’ve listened to leading up to this election, you can say that? My, you’re dense.
A Walkaway
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
I think that Reynardine has a much better grasp of the beliefs of the “Good Christians” who are behind the move to outlaw both abortion and contraception than you do.
She’s absolutely right… and there is an economic slant too… their ban only really applies to the poor and minorities. If you’re rich enough you can break the law (the reality in poor countries where the Roman Catholic church dominates and where they’ve outlawed abortion and contraception). Think about the ramifications of that.
The reality is, the “Good Christians” want poor and minority women punished if they have sex. Their damned preachers (and priests) have ranted about sex being for procreation only and being sinful for so long that the idiots don’t even question it (it’s BULLSHIT). You can also find their bigotry in the sort of things that have been advocated regarding, for instance, couples that cannot have children. Their misogynistic attitude comes through now and then… the man is supposed to dump the woman, even if it might be HIS fault. Oh, and what about women who through no fault of their own can’t have children? Are they to be thrown out like the trash? (Oh, yeah, I forget. You’re responsible for everything that happens to you. Another “Good Christian” teaching shared by both dominionist and the mainstream churches. They make me violently sick!)
The “Good Christians” are violence-and-war-loving racist bigots who hate the very people that Jesus loved… the poor, and who really despise women. All of their beliefs tie together in one neat, vicious, nasty little package that is about as un-Christ-like as you can get.
THEY are the ones behind the move to outlaw abortion and contraception. Reynardine knows that well. She’s absolutely right.
Maranon
Nov. 24th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
The GOP does not want birth control.
They do not want to pay fair wages and benefits to working families, so they can get their own birth control.
The GOP does not want to assist the kids once that they arrive.
It is no wonder there are children in AZ the trash cans on regular basis. If the environment is so toxic for the unwanted pregnancies, it does not improve for the unwanted deliveries.
The ignorance is beyond comprehension…
The best thing that can happen is that the FDA makes birth control over the counter product and soon.
Sandra
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 11:49 am
It’s not safe to sell BC pills over the counter Maranon as there’s not one pill that can be used for every woman. I know from personal experience, my Doctor tried me on many different bc pills before finding one that was compatible for me ie no side effects. BC bills vary from one brand to another and the patient must be monitored by a Doctor when she first starts taking it otherwise she can develop complications ie infections, allergic reactions etc.
Maranon
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Birth control pills have been in the market for over 50 years, and no they are not snake oil and safe for everyone, but it is the female using them that do the reporting of adverse effects, just as you did when you found yourself allergic to a certain kind.
Then the doctor said: “try a different one”
But if over the counter, you would go and try a different kind, on your own.
There are lots of drugs over the counter that are more dangerous than this, and people use safely most of the time.
Would your doctor tell you they are dangerous, maybe, but also would like you to return every 3 months for refill and collect an easy office fee for holding your hand and saying : “is all good with you”.
Sure if you smoke and live sedentary life, it will put you at higher risk of blood clots, even without the pill, then you should try something else.
For people who had as many children as they want, maybe tubal ligation or vasectomy for her partner maybe a better choice.
These are issues for the individual to choose.
Reynardine
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Over-the-counter birth control isn’t just pills. It also includes the contraceptive sponge, which suddenly became unavailable in ’95- yep, just when Newt was taking out his Contract on America. Contraceptive foam disappeared as well…yep, everything that could be independently bought or used by a female. Only condoms were available over the counter. What does that tell you?
Moongal6
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 1:26 am
These stats do not surprise me. I have been following this type of data for a long time.
History proves that during Republican presidential administrations the divorce rate goes up substantially, the abortion rate goes up substantially. During a Democratic administration the divorce rate is less and the abortion rate drops noticeably.
majii
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 1:38 am
I’ve noticed the same things, Moongal16. I’ve also noticed that most of the things that people believe about republicans are the result of a clever propaganda campaign and the assistance of RW media. Republicans are not true fiscal conservatives, aren’t political conservatives, are not good at conducting foreign policy, and they don’t give a d*mn about the debt or the deficit.
Morgan M of Maine
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 8:26 am
And, nationwide, teen pregnancy is down. See – www.teenhelp.com/teen-pre... – though it is higher in southern states, which begs the question is it higher in those states because of their anti-abortion laws and propaganda?
Christine
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Teen pregnancy is higher where the RW anti-sex brigade is against sex-ed, birth control and abortion. Somehow ignorant teens are not supposed to get pregnant in the GOP propaganda universe.
A Walkaway
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Ignorant teens aren’t supposed to have sex, or I swear even a sex drive. The guys are supposed to bury their drive in violence on the football field or in some other way (you can’t sublimate the sex drive, it JUST DOESN’T WORK) and girls are supposed to be prim and proper and not have any desires at all.
I remember that all too well from when I grew up. The rage at the young women who admitted to having their own sex drive (often from older women), especially those who tried to do something about it. The repressive lectures. Shoot, the 5th grade girls in my school got treated to a “Boys are dangerous and evil! Don’t trust them and don’t let them touch you!” lecture that lasted about an hour (including information on “women’s health issues” like pads and so forth) that we heard about after-the-fact from some of the girls. They got an hour from regular class which the boys didn’t get for the lecture.
More “Good Christian” bullsh*t.
ThomasW
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 10:49 am
ALERT…What the GOP need to do is stay home and make some babies…Old men are dying. ALERT…GOP need to stay home and teach racism to their kids…They voted for Obama to….ALERT…GOP need to stay home and take care of their women becuase they need a little excitement to. As the old saying goes…Take care of home first..So they want have a home…lol
Anne
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 11:19 am
The Republican party is interested in abortion mainly as a wedge issue designed to rile up gullible folks into believing that Democrats are “baby killers.” Against very sound conclusions about the role of birth control in decreasing the demand for abortions–which is supported by research–they try to limit access to that birth control. To that end, they propogandize about how women want others to subsidize their “promiscuity.” It’s alarming to see how many folks fall for that okey doke, failing to see that birth control is exactly what has empowered women to much more fully participate in the benefits of this society as well as decreasing abortions. That kind of short-sighted stupidity is what Republicans count on for votes in this issue as well as others. It’s also the same short-sighted stupidity that makes folks either unwilling or unable to acknowledge that the Republican concern for life doesn’t extend beyond life inside the womb. Better sex education which leads to personal responsiblity and access to birth control are positive reasons for decreases in abortions, and that’s always a good thing. However, I have to wonder if some women denied access to abortions and/or birth control are going underground and putting their lives/health at risk by self-induced abortions or going to illegal abortionists. It’s a real possibility even in 2012, with so many Republican state legislatures limiting access to birth control, not to mention abortions.
A Walkaway
Nov. 25th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
One of the questions that came to my mind was if the reduction was because of the Republicans and their closing of abortion clinics at the state level… and how much misery they’d cost people by their wishing to micromanage and rule the lives of others.