Many teenagers depend on clinics such as Planned Parenthood to answer their questions about contraceptives, HIV/AIDS testing and prenatal care. This information has always been confidential.

This could be changed, however, if U.S. Representatives Earnest Istook (R-Okla.) and David Manzullo (R-Ill.) get an amendment passed that would make parental consent necessary before teens receive birth control.

While this amendment will not affect all clinics, it will affect the clinics under Title X of the Labor/Health, Human Services/Education.

Effects in Iowa

Judith Rutlege, vice president of governmental affairs of Planned Parenthood, 2530 Chamberlain St., said she opposes the amendment.

Rutlege said her main concern is that teens will not only stop going to Planned Parenthood and other Title X clinics for birth control, but also for other services the clinics provide.

“The amendment specifically just says birth control pills and devices,” Rutlege said.

“Our concern is that teens won’t differentiate between birth control and testing for STDs,” she said.

Title X funds the National Family Planning Program.

Clinics in Iowa under Title X that may be affected include Dallas County Clinic, Guthrie County Hospital, Crawford County Home Health Agency, Planned Parenthood, Broadlawns Family Planning, Grinnell Clinic and South Des Moines Clinic.

Local reaction

This amendment is not new to Iowa Sen. Johnie Hammond (D).

“They’ve tried to do that in the past and I think that if they want more teen pregnancies and births, then that [passing the amendment] is what should happen,” she said.

Hammond said there are groups who try to make parental consent into law because “unfortunately there is a group of people who have demonized Planned Parenthood as evil and drags girls to the clinic and … then drags them kicking and screaming to have abortions.”

According to a press release by Planned Parenthood, publicly funded programs such as Planned Parenthood prevent 386,000 unplanned pregnancies each year. This stops 155,900 teenage births and 183,000 abortions.

Iowa State students said sex is already a tough enough topic for teenagers without having to force them to talk with their parents to get birth control.

Jarrod Plants, a freshman in pre-mechanical engineering, said sex is sometimes a difficult subject for teens to discuss with parents.

He said they should not be denied protection if they are trying to prevent unwanted pregnancy and disease.

“I think it would be up to the individual because after they are 16 [years old], you would hope they would be old enough to make the right decision,” Plants said.

Kathleen Widlski, family planning coordinator of the Iowa Department of Public Health, said the amendment may cause increases in adolescent pregnancies. She said she hopes the amendment will be debated.

Forecasted problems

While there are other ways for teens to obtain birth control from Title X clinics, Rutledge said the language of the amendment is ludicrous.

Teens can either notify their parents or get the permission of the court, which is outrageous, she said.

If the amendment is passed, Rutlege predicted an increase in teen pregnancy, abortions and STDs.

Rutlege said statewide the Title X program provides health care for 72,000 women of all ages.

Centers like Planned Parenthood offer free birth control, annual exams and cancer screening.

To many people’s disbelief, they do not pay for any abortion-related services, she said.

Rutlege said she fears the bill will pass in the U.S. House.