#TBT: Bill Clinton Obliterates Teen Pregnancy

 

     When he restored government funding for abortion services in 1993, President Clinton explained that he wanted abortions to be safe, accessible, and rare. He succeeded beyond what he possibly could have imagined. Since his initiative was launched in the mid-90s, abortion rates have seen a decline of roughly 50 percent over the course of 25 years. How did he do this? Not by banning abortion, but by increasing healthcare and education resources for the age group most inclined to get abortions: teenagers. 

     Among the most successful iterations of his commitment to the education, health, and welfare of children was his initiative targeting teen pregnancy. While created with a goal of reducing teen pregnancy by a third before 2005, teen pregnancy rates have declined by nearly 90 percent over the course of 30 years, a trend also reflected in the teen birth rate. Clinton's National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy was among the most successful healthcare reforms in American history and has also reduced the educational and economic tolls associated with teen pregnancy.