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Abstinence is saying yes to the rest of your life. |
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Dear Legislators, “We have to divide out what is political philosophy and what is science.” Tom Coburn, MD, AIDS Council Abstinence Education is under attack. HB 2546 / SB 6506 is unnecessary legislation. All state funding and all Title V abstinence education grant projects go through the Department of Health and they have a staff person who is in charge of abstinence education grants. It is her job to screen and monitor the projects her department awarded grants to under these funds (over $700,000). She is to report to a bi-partisan legislative committee about the progress of abstinence education in the state. If there are inaccuracies being perpetrated by abstinence educators under state contract, they should resolve them through DOH, not in the state legislature. Why do we need legislation for a job already paid for by the federal government?
Teens brought this legislation – they said, “When adults come to talk to us about abstinence these are the 10 medically inaccurate facts they tell us.” Do legislators trust the medical judgment of teens to point out highly disputed facts about intricate and conflicting medical/social research findings? Even NIH and CDC disagree on research methodology and have differing conclusions. HB2546 All public schools that provide sexuality or abstinence education shall provide only medically and scientifically accurate information. (2) As used in this section, "medically and scientifically accurate information" means information that is: (a) Supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods; (b) Recognized as accurate and objective by leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field, such as the American college of obstetricians and gynecologists or the centers for disease control; and (c) Published in peer-reviewed journals, where appropriate. Points to consider: üWhen Planned Parenthood talks the term is medical accuracy. When medical professionals talk the term is medical opinion. üDoes “weight” mean the number of articles with one slant vs. another? Are we back to peer review journals that are politically controlled? üWho are the leading professional organizations? (Planned Parenthood and SIECUS or should we include NIH, National Abstinence Clearing House, Medical Institute of Sexual Health or local abstinence providers and their Washington State licensed medical advisors? ) üMuch of the work in the field of abstinence and marriage education as required under TANF (Title V) is social not medical research. üThe Department of Education and a committee of two Democrats and two Republican legislators will check “medical accuracy”? Does the department understand the legal liability in limiting “facts” to only one point of view? If you think this is about facts and truth, think again. I believe they fear private agencies, volunteer speakers and federal grants that are not under their control. Planned Parenthood sent their “Youth Leadership Team” to the capital in Olympia asking for sponsorship of a bill requiring medical accuracy in abstinence presentations.
National perspective on Medical information and Abstinence Education ``We have to divide out what is political philosophy and what is science,'' said former congressman, abstinence supporter, and family physician Tom Coburn and newest appointment to the AIDS Council by President Bush.
Dr. Coburn became known during his time in Congress for his support of abstinence education to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Coburn said that his mission on the council would be ``to really talk about the science that's out there'' on HIV prevention. The council is supposed to form opinions and issue reports to the president advising him on national AIDS policy. Thank you for your service to the citizens of our state LeAnna Benn
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