May 16, 2011

McHOSE: VIOLATIONS AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD SHOULD RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT WOMEN'S HEALTH THERE SHOULD BE BIPARTISAN CONCERN ABOUT THE SERIOUS VIOLATIONS AT TRENTON CLINIC

Legislators concerned about women's health in New Jersey should carefully examine a 40-page list of violations at the Planned Parenthood Association of the Mercer Area, Assemblywoman Alison McHose said today.

"The state Health Department has found a very long and disturbing list of violations at this facility," McHose, R-24, said. "I do not believe in abortion and I don't believe tax dollars should fund it, but there is no way anyone can argue for funding clinics that don't properly train their staff or provide sterile facilities."

In March, the state Department of Health found numerous violations at the Planned Parenthood facility in Trenton, including improper use of syringes and compounds, failure to test staff for rubella and tuberculosis, not having a medical director on site at all times and several sanitary violations including not maintaining hot running water, or suitable hand-washing stations.

This report comes months after a staffer at another facility in Perth Amboy was caught on tape advising a couple posing as a pimp and prostitute on how to receive abortion and contraceptive counseling for underage prostitutes.

"I'm surprised that some would want to keep putting tax dollars into these facilities when they should be shut down for the safety of patients who use them," McHose said. "It is the Legislature's oversight responsibility to make sure that every health clinic in this state is clean, safe and has properly-trained staff that follows the law."

A copy of the report, obtained through the Open Public Records Act by New Jersey Right to Life, is attached.