How cool is that??

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/06/science/colorados-push-against-teenage-pregnancies-is-a-startling-success.html?_r=0

Basically, Warren Buffett donated several millions of dollars to the Colorado Title X program to promote LARC (long-acting reversible contraceptives, i.e. IUDs and contraceptive implants) usage among teenage girls. It was meant to be a 5-year grant in order to prove that widespread LARC usage significantly reduces the teen pregnancy and abortion rates.

The campaign was a HUGE success! Between 2009 and 2013, the Colorado teen birth rate dropped by 40%, and the abortion rates dropped by 42%. The point of the study was to provide *temporary* funding to show how well it works, and then the state legislature needed to take over from there. Well, the funding ended 6 months ago, and the state senate voted down the bill to continue to provide funding to our LARC program.

But I work for an organization that has been instrumental in delivering these LARCs to teenage girls. One of the huge parts of my current job is offering contraceptive counseling to inner city girls and young women. I LOVE that part of my job!

Anyway, one of our providers mentioned that there was an article about us in the NY Times, and I thought that was pretty awesome!

That is very awesome!

That program is awesome!

I don't get politicians; I really don't. Paying for this program is a helluva lot less expensive than paying out thousands in tax refunds for dependent children and/or giving that mom a check every month to raise a child. Children of poor women like the ones affected by this cut cost the government HUGE amounts of money.

I saw it and thought of you, klone!

That truly is awesome, klone! You have such an influential job--keep doing what you do.

The Colorado LARC initiative is one of the best programs I have heard of in FOREVER. You guys definitely deserved to get written up in the NYT!!!

Signed,

A Planned Parenthood CNM who preaches the gospel of LARC to all who will listen

It's wonderful! Politicians don't respond to facts, though; they're afraid of offending private interest groups. I'm not surprised they would vote down a hot-button issue like providing long-acting contraceptives to teens and young women. Dismayed, but not surprised.

That truly is awesome, klone! You have such an influential job--keep doing what you do.

Mhm.:)

This is great! Makes me miss working in the clinic.

It's wonderful! Politicians don't respond to facts, though; they're afraid of offending private interest groups. I'm not surprised they would vote down a hot-button issue like providing long-acting contraceptives to teens and young women. Dismayed, but not surprised.

I'm not surprised either. But part of me keeps thinking "Wait, they're pro-life fiscal conservatives. Surely they will vote for a bill that provides a service that has lowered the abortion rate by nearly 50% and saves MILLIONS of dollars in Medicaid and WIC spending?? Surely they're not THAT short-sighted, are they??" But nope. Guess not.

I'm not surprised either. But part of me keeps thinking "Wait, they're pro-life fiscal conservatives. Surely they will vote for a bill that provides a service that has lowered the abortion rate by nearly 50% and saves MILLIONS of dollars in Medicaid and WIC spending?? Surely they're not THAT short-sighted, are they??" But nope. Guess not.

Yeah, that "saving money initiative" angle should've really sold the program.

Even though you lost that battle, kudos to being recognized!

I actually listened to a teleconference from the CDC a couple months back about this program and 2 others, it was very enlightening!

This is wonderful!! The percentages speak for themselves--WOW! So awesome!

I love reading about this stuff. Unintended/poor choice pregnancies among teenagers on the downswing due to your program. Take it national?!?!?! Who can argue those numbers? But your senate.....Sigh.

Apparently, the state would rather provide for a teenage mother and child/children than to provide them long term birth control?!?!?! Shows you were the thought process is. Still.

Best wishes going forward with the organization that does promote better choices for girls. I so admire everything you do klone!!

Great job, klone, and keep up the good work! The article is interesting and thought- provoking.