On January 29th, the Chicago Tribune carried a letter in Voice of the People from Kelly Culwell, MD.  Culwell claimed that the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995 would endanger teenagers if it is finally allowed to become effective.  However, Culwell is not just some practicing physician who is relaying wisdom from years of experience.  Culwell is a 2006-2007 Fellow selected by Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health to join their Leadership Training Initiative (LTI).  The purpose of LTI is to develop the skills to be active and visible on reproductive healthcare issues.  In layman’s terms, that means Culwell’s letter provides propaganda from the perspective of an organization pushing “reproductive choice.”

Culwell has no evidence to support her premise that parental notice of abortion laws endanger teenage girls.  This lack of evidence supports the observation that her letter is purely propaganda.

Parental notice laws are effective in at least 34 states.  There is no evidence from these states that Culwell's premise has any basis in fact.  Most teenagers who seek an abortion never see a physician as Culwell describes.  They go to an abortion clinic where their first encounter with the physician is when he begins the abortion.

There is testimony from many women who regret the abortion they had as a teenager.  They concealed their pregnancy and abortion from their parents out of embarrassment about their situation, not concern about abusive parents.  If their parents had known, they could have helped these girls reach a better decision.   If the abortion creates medical complications, the parents are again responsible for their daughter's care.  Parents have the right to know that their daughter is considering abortion!

Even supporters of abortion rights claim that reducing the number of abortions is a good thing.  Parental notice laws have shown they are an important factor in reducing teen abortions in states where they are enforced.  Illinois should not repeal a good law now that it will finally have a chance to take effect.   The Adolescent Health Care Safety Act (HB 317) should be rejected because it will not refine parental notice, but rather eliminate it!   Such a step will not make teens safer!