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CWA Applauds Congressional Efforts to Restore a Parent’s Right to Know 6/21/2005 Washington, D.C.— Concerned Women for America (CWA) applauds Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) and Rep. Todd Akin (R- Missouri) for re-introducing the Parents Right to Know Act, legislation that will obligate clinics that receive federal funding under Title X of the Public Health Act to notify parents five days before dispensing contraceptives or prescription devices to minors.
“The Parents Right to Know Act recognizes that minor girls deserve their parents’ support and protection – especially when facing the constant and overwhelming pressures to be sexually active,” said Wendy Wright, CWA’s senior policy director. “Parents have the right to protect their minor daughters from the careless neglect of clinics that may take advantage of young women, some who may be victims of sexual predators.”
In January 2004, the parents of 16-year-old Melissa Anspach recognized the desperate need for the Parents Right to Know Act. They found their daughter sprawled in pain on her bedroom floor in the middle of the night after the Philadelphia Health Care Center No. 10, a clinic that receives Title X funding, administered the morning-after pill to her without their knowledge. Melissa suffered severe stomach pains, vomiting, a rash and a swollen face.
The clinic failed to inquire about Melissa’s medical history or conduct an exam. The clinic also neglected to communicate to Melissa that the morning-after pill not only would prevent a pregnancy, but could also result in an abortion if she had already conceived. The City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health and those who treated Melissa, now facing a lawsuit filed by the minor’s parents, are excusing their responsibility for Melissa’s negligent treatment due to the provisions under Title X.
“If Melissa Anspach’s parents had been notified of the clinic’s intent to dispense the morning-after pill to their daughter, they would have had the chance to protect her from her traumatic experience,” said Wright. “Melissa was denied the invaluable support, wisdom and protection from those who care for her the most – her parents.”
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Concerned Women for America 1015 Fifteenth St. N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: (202) 488-7000 Fax: (202) 488-0806 |
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