“We know that parental consent saves lives,”
says AULA’s Dan McConchie

LINCOLN, NE (03-09-11) – Americans United for Life Action Vice President of Government Affairs Daniel McConchie called on Nebraska’s legislators to vote in favor of LB690, which would strengthen Nebraska parent’s ability to help their minor children. The bill, based on AUL’s model legislation, would mandate that parents give consent before a minor may obtain an abortion.

McConchie addressed the Judiciary Committee of the Nebraska Legislature on the bill sponsored by state Sen. Lydia Brasch. Before the committee, he noted that even the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledges that “immature minors often lack the ability to make fully informed choices that take into account both immediate and long-range consequences.”

He further testified:  “We know that parental consent laws save lives. A 2008 study showed that parental consent laws reduce the minor abortion rate by 18.7 percent, while parental notification laws only reduce the abortion rate by about 5 percent. Parental consent laws better protect the health and welfare of minors by allowing parents to be directly involved in the medical decisions of their minor daughters. Of anyone, parents are the ones best suited to help their minor daughter with such a monumental decision as to what to do with an unplanned pregnancy.”

To read McConchie’s entire testimony, click here.

To read the written testimony submitted by staff counsel Mary Harned, click here.