[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRANSITIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND ABSTINENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM 
                               EXTENSION

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                               speech of

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2007

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, providing health insurance to those working 
their way out of welfare is vitally important. However, pairing a 
program that actually helps American families with one that extends 
funding for abstinence-only education is truly insulting. To stay 
healthy, our adolescents must receive accurate information about 
protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infection. Federal 
funding should not be squandered on programs that are not medically 
accurate or scientifically proven to prevent disease and unintended 
pregnancy. This is especially true as we struggle to find funding to 
provide American youth with health insurance. Our children deserve 
better than this.
  Politics often requires compromises. But make no mistake; my vote is 
a vote for working families, and not against proven programs to reduce 
unwanted teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. The 
Transitional Medical Assistance program will require future extensions, 
and I will continue to fight for programs that provide real information 
and protection for our children.

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