PROBLEM: PARENTAL NOTIFICATION FOR BIRTH CONTROL
On July 14, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted 32-24 to approve an amendment offered by anti-family planning Representative Ernest Istook (R-OK) to the Labor/Health and Human Services funding bill to require teens seeking prescription contraception at Title X family planning clinics to have parental consent or to have clinics notify parents five business days in advance of providing such services to teens (effectively parental consent).
This amendment is just another example of the assault on reproductive rights now being waged in the House of Representatives. The Istook amendment is an outrageous violation of a young woman's right to confidentiality when seeking contraceptive services.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
The House is expected to take up the Labor/HHS funding bill, including
the Istook amendment, as early as the week of August 3rd. It is critical
that you contact your Representative as soon as possible with the following
message:
OPPOSE PARENTAL CONSENT OR ADVANCE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION FOR TEENS SEEKING CONTRACEPTIVE SERVICES.The main switchboard number for Congress is (202) 224-3121, the operator will connect you with your U.S. Representative's office. Connect to http://www.visi.com/juan/congress for fax, phone, and e-mail address information for all members of Congress.