ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

Amendment Banning Access to Emergency Contraception Puts Teens at Risk for Unintended Pregnancy

Conservative Amendment Jeopardizes Health of American Teens

WASHINGTON, DC (May 21, 2001) Citing the fact that emergency contraception can avert as many as 50 percent of unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions, Advocates for Youth condemns a conservative amendment filed by Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) that would prohibit federal funding for emergency contraception (EC) for adolescents in school-based health centers (SBHCs).

This Helms' amendment (S.AMDT. 573), filed to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), would prohibit the expenditure of any federal education or health funds for the provision of EC to a young person at a SBHC without written parental consent. Helms could offer this amendment at any time during the ESEA debate, which is set to resume tomorrow, with a final vote on the bill possible by week's end. Senator Helms offered a similar amendment to last year's Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill.

James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth, calls on politicians to stop putting their political agendas above the health and well-being of American young people. "It's ironic that by attempting to restrict federal funding for emergency contraception, the very politicians who oppose abortion are passing laws that make abortion more likely," said Wagoner.

"The Congressional leadership is sending the wrong message to our young people. Young people who seek emergency contraception are acting responsibly and should not be demonized. Denying teens access to EC leaves them more vulnerable to unintended pregnancy and abortion. Health care providers should encourage teens to talk with parents, yet the parental consent provision could slow down the health care system considerably. EC must be taken within 120 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse to be effective, and the sooner the better," continued Wagoner.

Emergency contraception gives young people a second chance to prevent an unplanned pregnancy after having unprotected sex, if a method of birth control fails, or in the event of rape. Groups such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologist agree that emergency contraception does not terminate an already established pregnancy, but can prevent an unplanned pregnancy when taken in a timely manner.

"The Helms amendment would not deter teens from having sex, but would ensure that we have more teen pregnancies and more abortions," said Wagoner. "This misguided prohibition is contrary to the national goal of reducing unintended pregnancy and is harmful to teens," concluded Wagoner.

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Note to Editors and Producers: For more information or to set up an interview with adolescent sexuality experts, please contact Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.

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