[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 103 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3755) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and related agencies, for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in opposition to the 
Istook amendment.
  Title X is the only Federal program that prevents unintended 
pregnancy and reduces the need for abortion. In my State alone, 300,000 
women and teens rely on title X for their only reproductive health 
care.
  The radical right is once again putting politics ahead of people by 
attempting to require young people to obtain their parents' consent for 
family planning and other health care services. This requirement will 
cause many teens to delay, or, worse yet, avoid seeking essential 
health care services--placing their health, future fertility, and even 
their lives at risk.
  I agree that ideally, teens should be encouraged to talk to their 
parents about all health care decisions, including those of 
reproductive health. But, we don't live in an ideal world, and millions 
of teens don't live in ideal families. Study after study has shown that 
when parental consent is mandated by law, adolescents will delay or 
avoid seeking needed care.
  How can anyone oppose such an essential program? Whose best interests 
are being served? Certainly not those of American teenagers, families, 
and women.
  Once again, the new majority has put the radical right's agenda ahead 
of good government.
  Consent to give teens the right to make good health decisions, and 
the right to basic health care services. Oppose the Istook amendment.

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