| California Prop 85: Harmful to young women |
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03 Sep 2006 Parental notification would restrict youth’s access to timely medical care FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 3, 2006 CONTACT: Rebecca Wiegand (o) 202-965-7700 (m) 202-427-7450 As November 7 rapidly approaches, Choice USA encourages the people of California to vote against Proposition 85, a harmful measure that would jeopardize the health and safety of women. Proposition 85 is a parental notification initiative that would amend the California constitution to mandate physicians notify a minor’s parent/legal guardian about their intent to undergo an abortion during a mandatory 48-hour waiting period. < p> In 2005, California citizens voted against Proposition 73, a near-identical parental notification initiative that would have acted as a barrier to timely medical care and coerce young women into seeking unsafe back alley abortions. Although the people of California proved their commitment to upholding minor’s rights to safe, accessible medical care only one year ago, radical conservative forces have once again placed a parental notification initiative on the November 7 ballot. Crystal Plati, Executive Director of Choice USA issued the following statement as November 7 nears: "We all wish we lived in a world where every teen had a terrific relationship with their parents. We know, however, that many young women face abuse, violence, and sometimes worse consequences if they were forced to go to a parent to approve an abortion. Proposition 85 will act as a direct barrier to young women attempting to access essential medical services in a timely manner. Mandated waiting periods and parental notification measures will not reduce the number of women seeking abortion – it will just force women to undergo illegal, unsafe abortions. In order to ensure young women have timely access to safe and legal medical procedures, Proposition 85 must be defeated by the people of California." Choice USA commends the committed activists and leaders in the field and on the ground who have led campaigns to uphold the rights of women. With the well-being of California’s youth put at risk by Proposition 85, Choice USA is confident that the people of California will once again prioritize the health and safety of young women over ideological rhetoric and vote against Proposition 85. # # #
Choice USA mobilizes and provides ongoing support to the diverse, upcoming generation of leaders who promote and protect reproductive choice both now and in the future. We are dedicated to the right of each person worldwide to decide when and if they will have sex, when and if they will be pregnant, and when and if they will have a child. In order to make those personal decisions, accurate information and safe, legal reproductive health services must be available to everyone.
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