Hi George,

Understandably, with the threat of war looming, more people are paying attention to national than state issues.

But there seems to be a war going on right now in Virginia. It's a war on the citizens of the commonwealth--especially on its most vulnerable members.

There are many honorable members of our General Assembly, from both political parties. There are many who, even if their political and social beliefs are different from my own, I believe to have integrity and the courage of their convictions.

However, there are many who do not. Who are in office not because they want to make life better for the citizens of this state, but because they wish to advance their own agenda. This agenda seems to me, in aggregate, to constitute a war on women and children.

There are a lot of things I could (and want) to say about the General Assembly this year. But I think there's one bill in particular that all Virginians need to know and be concerned about, and act upon.

That bill is HB 1499, "Notification to parents of certain health services to minors." It's passed the House, now headed to the Senate. Mitch Van Yahres voted against this bill. Unfortunately, Rob Bell voted for it. In the Senate, we know Creigh Deeds will vote responsibly. But other Senators may need to be educated--and made aware of the consequences, and our opinions.

Of course, parents want to know if their children are engaging in risky behavior. But more importantly, they want them to stay alive. This bill endangers the lives of our teenagers. It will promote the spread of STDs, lead to more teenage pregnancies (and resulting risk factors) and cause long-term health damage to teens, as well as going against every known principle of public health.

JAMA has published a study in its Pediatric Archives confirming this: http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/issues/v155n9/ffull/plt0901-1.html

When the infamous "Comstock Laws" prevented the dissemination of information about STDs and birth control, young women resorted to Lysol douches, falling down stairs, and knitting needles as "folk remedies" for STDs and pregnancy. It was the deaths of such young women that motivated Margaret Sanger to fight against these laws. But this is what the House of Delegates apparently wishes for us now.

Most parents nurture relationships with their children that enable them to come to their parents when faced with such a situation. But many factors, including shame, embarrassment, abusive parents, and sexual assault and abuse, make it likely that a teen might not seek out health care unless assured it is confidential.

This bill will also turn health-care providers who are trying to save teenagers' lives into criminals. It will require practitioners to go against the protocols of their professions--protocols developed with thought, care, and scientific study.

Your readers can read the full text of this bill here: <http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?031+sum+HB1499>

This bill is a good reminder for parents to talk to their teens about how they can talk to them about anything. It's also a good reminder for all of us to pay attention to what's going on here at home. Freedoms we count on are being eroded, and public health measures that seem like no-brainers are under attack--right here in Virginia.

There's a lot of talk about how, across the country, elected representatives are running scared from the far right. But that's partly our responsibility. If we don't express our opinions about such issues, the far right can continue to act with impunity, and moderates and progressives will be afraid of losing votes to the extremists. We need to show our support for those legislators who are representing the majority of Americans, and proposing sensible policy decisions. And we need to express our disapprobation of those who are trying to advance their extremist positions.

Valerie L'Herrou (electronic mail, February 1, 2003)