School-Based Health Centers – a bad idea?

by Sue | Feb 18, 2017 | Education, Sex Ed in the Schools

February 18, 2017

Updated on May 19, 2017 (See below)

In Washington State, “middle school and high school students can’t get a Coca-Cola or a candy bar at 13 Seattle public schools, but they can get a taxpayer-funded intrauterine device (IUD) implanted without their parent’s consent.

“School-based health clinics (SBHCs) in at least 13 Seattle-area public high schools and middle schools offer long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), including IUDs and hormonal implants, to students in sixth-grade and above at no cost, according to Washington State officials.

“LARCs are associated with serious side effects, such as uterine perforation and infection.  IUDs, specifically, can also act as abortifacients by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg.

“The state and federally funded contraceptive services are made possible by Take Charge, a Washington State Medicaid program which provides free birth control to adults who are uninsured, lack contraceptive coverage, have an income at or below 260 percent of the Federal Poverty Level – or in this case, to teens who don’t want their parents to know they’re on birth control.” (from CNSNews.com)

At last count, there are school-based health clinics in 38 school districts, including Jefferson County.  And if the Port Angeles School District gets its way, theirs will be the 39^th.

A proposal for a school-based health clinic made to the Port Angeles School Board (PASB) has had its first reading, and is close to being implemented. In the proposal, Marlene Bradow, the author and a nurse at Stevens Middle School, states, “Contraception would be available to students, which would include patient teaching.  This is a controversial issue, however, state law allows anyone at any age to seek out reproductive services without parental consent.”  Mental health counseling would also be provided. 

Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion organization, states in one report, “SBHCs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services; however, since the inception of these centers, heated debates have raged in communities across the country over whether they should provide contraceptives on-site. At the same time, a number of SBHCs that are committed to reducing teen pregnancy are working within their communities to overcome opposition and provide contraceptive care.”

CNS News further reports: “In an email exchange with the Washington State Health Care Authority and CNSNews.com, a Take Charge spokesperson acknowledged that underage students are eligible for a “full array of covered family planning services” at school-based clinics if their parents meet the program’s requirements.

“Take Charge added that “a student who does not want their parents to know they are seeking reproductive health services is allowed to apply for Take Charge using their own income, and if they are insured under their parents’ plan, the insurance would not be billed.”

“When asked if a sixth grader could get an IUD implanted without parental consent, Take Charge told CNSNews.com: “We encourage all Take Charge providers to offer long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in their clinics. A young person does not need parental consent to obtain a LARC or any other contraceptive method…If the young person is not choosing abstinence, she would be able to select a LARC and have it inserted without parental consent.”

Do you think a school-based health clinic incorporating contraceptives and possible referral for abortions without parental consent or knowledge is a good idea for the Port Angeles School District?

Contact the Port Angeles School Board with your thoughts – and send us a copy.  Or show up at the next meeting (Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.) when they are scheduled for a second hearing on the matter and let your voice be heard.

Email and phone contact Information for the school board can be found at: www.portangelesschools.org/administration/school_board

UPDATE: May 19, 2017 – The school-based health clinic will be open for discussion at the Port Angeles School Board meeting on May 24, 2017 starting at 7 p.m. at the Port Angeles High School.

The issue is scheduled to be voted upon at the June 8, 2017 meeting at the Central Services Building.