FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 3, 2019

Little Rock – On Friday the Arkansas Department of Health published its annual report on the number of abortions performed in Arkansas. The report shows abortion in Arkansas has fallen to levels not seen in more than 40 years, with 3,069 abortions performed in 2018.

Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement saying, “The number of abortions in Arkansas is at a forty-two year low. Arkansas’ abortion rate is a fraction of what it was in the 1990s. And, Americans United for Life reports Arkansas is the second most pro-life state in the country. All of this proves Arkansas is winning the fight to protect unborn children.”

Cox said a series of pro-life laws passed in recent years are responsible for much of the decline in Arkansas. “In 2015 Arkansas passed the best informed-consent law for abortion in the nation. Since then our lawmakers have passed more than a dozen good laws that prohibit certain abortion procedures and protect women from unsafe abortion practices. Arkansans are true, pro-life leaders.”

Cox also praised Arkansas’ pregnancy resource centers. “Arkansas is home to a number of excellent pregnancy resource centers that help women with unplanned pregnancies. They provide everything from ultrasounds and adoption information to maternity clothes, diapers, and baby formula free of charge. Pregnancy resource centers give women real options besides abortion.”

Cox said Family Council will continue working to end abortion in Arkansas. “We’re glad the number of abortions is at historic lows, but it’s important to remember that the vast majority of the abortions performed last year were on healthy women carrying healthy babies. Abortion is a terrible tragedy. That’s why we are committed to working to end abortion in Arkansas.”

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