Economic Problems Causing Potential Record High Abortion Figures Nationwide

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Economic Problems Causing Potential Record High Abortion Figures Nationwide

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 24, 2009

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Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The nation's economic problems are causing companies to go out of business and costing family members their jobs and health insurance. The unseen result of the poor economy is beginning to be seen -- in the record high number of abortions some locations are experiencing.

If the anecdotal evidence is true across the board, then the United States could easily see a nationwide increase in abortions for the first time in over a decade.

And that increase could come on the heels of last year's news that the nation had set historic lows or near-lows in the number of abortions and the abortion rate.

A new Associated Press report indicates abortion practitioners and abortion businesses in selected locations are reporting abortion increases.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois CEO Steve Trombley did not provide exact numbers but indicated his abortion centers did an all-time high number of abortions last month.

AP noted Planned Parenthood's St. Louis-area abortion centers also reported the number of abortions jumping seven percent during the last six months of the year last year compared with the same time in 2007.

Stephanie Poggi of the National Network of Abortion Funds, a pro-abortion group that provides women with money to get abortions, but does not provide similar funds for women who decide to keep their baby, says they are getting a higher volume of requests for funds -- nearly quadruple the number from one year ago.

"A lot of women who never thought they'd need help are turning to us," Poggi told AP. "They're telling us, 'I've already put off paying my rent, my electric bill. I'm cutting back on my food.' They've run through all the options."

Although abortion advocates are quick to say more should be done to fund contraception and birth control to reduce the number of abortions during these tough economic times, AP profiled one woman who showed how that line of thought doesn't work.

Lalita Peterson, a 23-year-old Ohio resident, relied on contraception but found herself asking for money for an abortion when she determined she was unable to give birth and raise a child.

But abortion doesn't have to be the option of first resort for women and families during tough economic times. A network of thousands of pregnancy centers exists that provides couples with free or low-cost pregnancy-related items to help them weather the storm a little easier.

There are more than 2,300 pregnancy centers across the United States -- significantly more than the number of abortion businesses. Unlike abortion facilities, these centers help pregnant women with baby and maternity resources, parenting classes, adoption, medical and educational needs, counseling, community referrals and support for women who had abortions they regret.

Care Net supports a network of more than 1,000 pregnancy centers in North America.

Together with the pregnancy center network Heartbeat International, it operates the 24-7 call center, OptionLine (800-395-HELP) that connects callers with help at local pregnancy centers.

Related web sites:
Care Net - http://www.care-net.org

Find a pregnancy center - http://www.pregnancycenters.org