[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             POST-ABORTION DEPRESSION RESEARCH AND CARE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduced the Post-Abortion 
Depression Research and Care Act, a bill to provide hope and healing 
for the more than 35 million women in this country who have had 
abortions in the past twenty-eight years.
  The Post-Abortion Depression Research and Care Act will direct 
federal funding for the research of post-abortion depression and the 
development of successful treatments for emotional distress in post-
abortive women.
  I have been working on this legislation because I believe that it is 
a travesty that more work has not been done to support women who have 
chosen to have an abortion. We cannot simply abandon these women. 
Because of the emotional issues that often surround a woman's decision 
to have an abortion, many women are reluctant to even talk about their 
experiences. Some women don't come to terms with the emotional impact 
of their abortion until years later. I believe that increased research 
on post-abortion depression will lead to a greater awareness of this 
issue and the development of compassionate outreach and counseling 
programs to help post-abortive women.
  We already know much about the psychological impact of giving birth 
and of miscarrying, and yet much remains to be discovered about post-
abortion depression. Why should women who choose to have an abortion be 
given any less care and concern than women who give birth or women 
miscarry? Post-abortive women deserve equal treatment.
  While there is some disagreement among researchers as to the extent 
and substance of post-abortion emotional response, everyone agrees that 
the decision to have an abortion is fraught with emotion. It only makes 
sense, then, to continue to explore the psychological impact of 
abortion on women.
  I urge my colleagues to support post-abortive women by cosponsoring 
the Post-Abortion Depression Research and Care Act. Let's not let 
politics get in the way of good mental health care for women.

                          ____________________