109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6169
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with,
post-abortion depression and psychosis.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 25, 2006
Mr. PITTS (for himself, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. RYUN of
Kansas, Mr. AKIN, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Ms. HART, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. PENCE, and Mr.
GOHMERT) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with,
post-abortion depression and psychosis.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Post-Abortion Depression Research and Care
Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) About 3,000,000 women per year in the United States have an unplanned
or unwanted pregnancy, and approximately 1,186,000 of these pregnancies
end in elective abortion.
(2) Abortion can have severe and long-term effects on the mental and emotional
well-being of women. Women often experience sadness and guilt following
abortions with no one to console them. They may have difficulty in bonding
with new babies, become overprotective parents or develop problems in
their relationship with their spouses. Problems such as eating disorders,
depression and suicide attempts have also been traced to past abortions.
(3) The symptoms of post-abortion depression include bouts of crying,
guilt, intense grief or sadness, emotional numbness, eating disorders,
drug and alcohol abuse, suicidal urges, anxiety and panic attacks, anger/rage,
sexual problems or promiscuity, lowered self esteem, nightmares and sleep
disturbance, flashbacks, and difficulty with relationships.
(4) Women who aborted a first pregnancy are four times more likely to
report substance abuse compared to those who suffered a natural loss of
their first pregnancy, and they are five times more likely to report subsequent
substance abuse than women who carried to term.
(5) Greater thought suppression is associated with experiencing more intrusive
thoughts of the abortion. Both suppression and intrusive thoughts, in
turn, are positively related to increases in psychological distress over
time.
(6) Women who experience decision-making difficulties and may lack social
support may experience more negative emotional consequences to induced
abortion.
(7) Post-abortion depression often relates to the lack of understanding
in society and the medical community of the complexity of post-abortion
depression, and economic pressures placed on hospitals and providers are
contributing factors.
(8) Social pressure to have an abortion can be directly related to higher
levels of immediate regret and more mental undoing over subsequent years.
(9) Post-abortion depression is a treatable disorder if promptly diagnosed
by a trained provider and attended to with a personalized regimen of care
including social support, therapy, medication, and when necessary hospitalization.
(10) While there have been many studies regarding the emotional aftermath
of abortion, very little research has been sponsored by the National Institutes
of Health.
(11) A major New Zealand study shows abortion has serious negative consequences
for women. Among the alarming findings with respect to girls 15 through
18:
(A) With respect to experiencing major depression: Those who had not
become pregnant had a 31.2 percent chance. Those who became pregnant
but did not have an abortion had a 35.7 percent chance. But those who
had an abortion had an astonishing 78.6 percent chance.
(B) With respect to experiencing anxiety: Those who had not become pregnant
had a 37.9 percent chance. Those who became pregnant but did not have
an abortion had a 35.7 percent chance. But those who had an abortion
had a 64.3 percent chance.
(C) With respect to thoughts of suicide: Those who had not become pregnant
had a 23 percent chance. Those who became pregnant but did not have
an abortion had a 25 percent chance. But those who had an abortion had
a 50 percent chance.
TITLE I--RESEARCH ON POST-ABORTION DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS
SEC. 101. EXPANSION AND INTENSIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE
OF MENTAL HEALTH.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through
the Director of NIH and the Director of the National Institute of Mental
Health (in this section referred to as the `Institute'), shall expand and
intensify research and related activities of the Institute with respect
to post-abortion depression and post-abortion psychosis (in this section
referred to as `post-abortion conditions').
(b) Coordination With Other Institutes- The Director of the Institute shall
coordinate the activities of the Director under subsection (a) with similar
activities conducted by the other national research institutes and agencies
of the National Institutes of Health to the extent that such Institutes
and agencies have responsibilities that are related to post-abortion conditions.
(c) Programs for Post-Abortion Conditions- In carrying out subsection (a),
the Director of the Institute shall conduct or support research to expand
the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, post-abortion
conditions. Activities under such subsection shall include conducting and
supporting the following:
(1) Basic research concerning the etiology and causes of the conditions.
(2) Epidemiological studies to address the frequency and natural history
of the conditions and the differences among racial and ethnic groups with
respect to the conditions.
(3) The development of improved diagnostic techniques.
(4) Clinical research for the development and evaluation of new treatments,
including new biological agents.
(5) Information and education programs for health care professionals and
the public.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Director of the Institute shall conduct a national
longitudinal study to determine the incidence and prevalence of cases
of post-abortion conditions, and the symptoms, severity, and duration
of such cases, toward the goal of more fully identifying the characteristics
of such cases and developing diagnostic techniques.
(2) REPORT- Beginning not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and periodically thereafter for the duration of the study
under paragraph (1), the Director of the Institute shall prepare and submit
to the Congress reports on the findings of the study.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purpose of carrying out this
section, there is authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
TITLE II--DELIVERY OF SERVICES REGARDING POST-ABORTION DEPRESSION AND
PSYCHOSIS
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM OF GRANTS.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this title
referred to as the `Secretary') shall in accordance with this title make
grants to provide for projects for the establishment, operation, and coordination
of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services
to individuals with post-abortion depression or post-abortion psychosis
(referred to in this section as a `post-abortion condition) and their families.
(b) Recipients of Grants- A grant under subsection (a) may be made to an
entity only if the entity--
(1) is a public or nonprofit private entity, which may include a State
or local government; a public or nonprofit private hospital, community-based
organization, hospice, ambulatory care facility, community health center,
migrant health center, or homeless health center; or other appropriate
public or nonprofit private entity; and
(2) had experience in providing the services described in subsection (a)
before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Certain Activities- To the extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary
shall ensure that projects under subsection (a) provide services for the
diagnosis and management of post-abortion conditions. Activities that the
Secretary may authorize for such projects may also include the following:
(1) Delivering or enhancing outpatient and home-based health and support
services, including case management, screening and comprehensive treatment
services for individuals with or at risk for post-abortion conditions;
and delivering or enhancing support services for their families.
(2) Delivering or enhancing inpatient care management services that ensure
the well being of the mother and family and the future development of
the infant.
(3) Improving the quality, availability, and organization of health care
and support services (including transportation services, attendant care,
homemaker services, day or respite care, and providing counseling on financial
assistance and insurance) for individuals with post-abortion conditions
and support services for their families.
(d) Integration With Other Programs- To the extent practicable and appropriate,
the Secretary shall integrate the program under this title with other grant
programs carried out by the Secretary, including the program under section
330 of the Public Health Service Act.
(e) Limitation on Amount of Grants- A grant under subsection (a) may not
for any fiscal year be made in an amount exceeding $100,000.
SEC. 202. CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.
A grant may be made under section 201 only if the applicant involved makes
the following agreements:
(1) Not more than 5 percent of the grant will be used for administration,
accounting, reporting, and program oversight functions.
(2) The grant will be used to supplement and not supplant funds from other
sources related to the treatment of post-abortion conditions.
(3) The applicant will abide by any limitations deemed appropriate by
the Secretary on any charges to individuals receiving services pursuant
to the grant. As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, such limitations
on charges may vary based on the financial circumstances of the individual
receiving services.
(4) The grant will not be expended to make payment for services authorized
under section 201(a) to the extent that payment has been made, or can
reasonably be expected to be made, with respect to such services--
(A) under any State compensation program, under an insurance policy,
or under any Federal or State health benefits program; or
(B) by an entity that provides health services on a prepaid basis.
(5) The applicant will, at each site at which the applicant provides services
under section 201(a), post a conspicuous notice informing individuals
who receive the services of any Federal policies that apply to the applicant
with respect to the imposition of charges on such individuals.
SEC. 203. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to assist entities in complying
with the requirements of this title in order to make such entities eligible
to receive grants under section 201.
SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
For the purpose of carrying out this title, there is authorized to be appropriated
$300,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
END
