Click here
|
Title X: Government “Family Planning” Seduces Children 1/19/1999 History Title X (ten) of the Public Health Service Act was created in 1970 as a way for the federal government to finance contraception for America’s poor. Title X gives funds to clinics for research related to "family planning and population," training of personnel, and the development and dissemination of "family planning" information and products. Since its inception, these clinics have helped advance the concept of "family planning" as a natural and normal part of life. But far from the vision of a husband and wife sitting down to discuss their personal form of birth control, "family planning" clinics are the primary distributors of birth control to minors. Last year, the federal government increased spending for Title X from $203 million to $215 million. Title X and Abortion Current federal guidelines require that clinics receiving Title X funds offer abortion referral and "non-directive abortion counseling." So a pro-life crisis pregnancy center would not be eligible for Title X funds, even if their services included distribution of contraceptives. In fact, a clinic cannot be neutral, but must be pro-abortion in order to receive these government funds. In reality, this has allowed many Title X grantees to offer referrals for abortion and actually provide abortions. Though federal law prohibits these clinics from the direct use of government funds for abortion, the infusion of federal money for their non-abortion activities frees up other funds to pay for abortions. And the "marriage" of all these services -- which allow a clinic to provide contraceptives, screen for pregnancy, refer for an abortion, and later perform an abortion on the same premises -- has given rise to a lucrative industry. Children vs. Parents Title X regulations state that recipients of funds (i.e., clinics) cannot discriminate on the basis of age. In other words, a Title X clinic cannot refuse to give contraceptives to a 13-year-old girl simply because she is under the age of consent. Second, Title X regulations state that all care must be "confidential." This "confidentiality" clause has been interpreted to mean that the actions of the minor be kept confidential. Yet in all other medical decisions, confidentiality is usually interpreted to exist between the caregiver (clinic/hospital/doctor) and the parents or legal guardians of the child. In most states it is illegal for a physician to treat a child for even a minor ailment such as a sore throat without parental consent. And a child cannot get a Tylenol in school without the express written permission of a parent. Yet Title X provides a huge loophole that allows a nurse to give contraceptives to that same child! So in sum, Title X clinics are specifically prohibited from notifying a parent or guardian if a minor child seeks any type of clinic services -- including abortion counseling or services, contraceptives, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It is unfathomable and unconscionable that the federal government requires clinics to undermine parental authority and potentially endanger the health and well-being of children. Title X Protects Child Molesters In June, 1997, the parents of a teenage girl in Illinois filed suit against the McHenry County Health Department. Beginning at age 13, their daughter was repeatedly sexually abused by her 37-year-old gym teacher over an 18-month period. The gym teacher took the young girl to a health clinic -- funded by Title X -- where she received contraceptive injections of the controversial drug Depo-Provera. This allowed him to continue to abuse this girl, without fear that she would get pregnant. Ironically, this pedophile and his behavior were protected by Title X because there is no requirement for parental consent. And adding insult to injury, the McHenry County Health Department claimed that it was necessary to keep parents in the dark in order to continue receiving federal "family planning" (Title X) funds. Legally, they are correct! If the clinic had notified the parents that their daughter -- who was under the age of consent -- was asking for contraception, they would have violated regulations governing Title X funds. They might have lost the approximately $40,000 per year received under this failed federal program. Is this the way our tax dollars should be spent? How long should citizens be expected to pay for the protection of pedophiles and others who prey on innocent children? Current Action Title X is part of the Fiscal Year 1999 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill, which allocates money for programs within these three federal agencies. Last year, Rep. Istook offered a parental notification amendment in the full Appropriations Committee. It passed for the first time in 21 years. When the Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill came to the House floor in late September, the House voted to adopt the Istook Amendment. However, the final version of the Labor/HHS/Education bill was thrown into a large omnibus bill along with other unfinished legislation. Unfortunately, the parental notification language was not included. In fact, federal spending for Title X increased. Amazingly, despite the facts, so many members of Congress continue to think minors should be able to receive contraceptives and abortifacients without parental involvement. Title X funds undermine parental authority and make children vulnerable to the deceptions of sexual predators. The federal government should stop funding the moral demise of our children and our culture. |
|
Concerned Women for America 1015 Fifteenth St. N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: (202) 488-7000 Fax: (202) 488-0806 |
Feedback / Questions? || Problem with this page? || Archives
