In response to the announcement of the introduction of the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) in the House and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in the Senate, legislation that would provide grants to increase and improve the linkage and access of marginalized young people to sexual and reproductive health care and related services, Physicians for Reproductive Health Board Chair Dr. Willie Parker issued the following statement:
“Physicians for Reproductive Health is proud to endorse the introduction of the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act. At a time when we are seeing increased legislative and administrative actions limiting access to reproductive health care services, we applaud the introduction of legislation that increases resources for young people to get connected to the reproductive health care services they need and deserve. This bill works to remove many of the barriers that young people experience when trying to access supportive sexual and reproductive health care services, including stigma and discrimination, concerns about confidentiality, costs of services, and transportation issues. Young people should have access to affordable, linguistically and culturally competent health care, and knowledgeable providers who will treat them with dignity and respect.”