FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ana Sandoval, PPAC communications 916.446.5247

Preventive health care

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California urges Gov. Brown to sign AB 499

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) urges Gov. Jerry Brown to stand with science and health and sign AB 499. Authored by Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), AB 499 would expand current California law and allow teens to consent to confidential medical care to prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as the human papilloma virus (HPV).

"Providing teens with the ability to protect themselves against STDs is an important element of adolescent health care," said Dr. Katharine Sheehan, medical director of Planned Parenthood Pacific Southwest. "Like most physicians, I encourage my teen patients to involve their parents, and the good news is that most do. However for some teens, good family communication is not possible or may actually be dangerous. That's why AB 499 is so important. It provides teens with access to confidential medical care so they can be healthy and stay healthy."

Medical experts in California and across the nation recommend the HPV vaccine because it is a safe and effective way to protect women from several strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. According to federal health officials, no pattern of serious side effects has emerged among the more than 35 million U.S. residents who have received the vaccine.

"By passing this law, the California Legislature has recognized what's most important -- that teens are safe and receive the best possible preventive care and counseling," said Kathy Kneer, PPAC president and CEO. "That's why we urge Gov. Brown to sign AB 499 and protect the health and future of California teens."

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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s eight separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of reproductive and preventive health care, family planning and comprehensive sex education.