Ahead of Charlotte Pride, Adams Unveils Measure to Provide Comprehensive Healthcare to Vulnerable Youth

Charlotte, N.C.—Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) announced the introduction of the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services (YASHS) Act, a bill that would create a competitive grant program to expand access to fact-based, community oriented education and support programs that promote sexual health for young people who have been disadvantaged by underlying structural barriers and social inequity. Rep. Adams is joined by Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield, and Equality North Carolina Interim Executive Director Matt Hirschy at Time Out Youth, a local LGBTQ youth center providing support services for youths 11-20 years old.

"Recent studies rank North Carolina among the states with the highest number of reported cases of STDs in the nation," said Congresswoman Adams. "Senator Hirono and I introduced the YASHS Act to direct additional federal resources to local organizations that provide comprehensive health education for vulnerable youth. No child is the same, so we must invest in health education that is tailored to address individual needs and concerns. Without it, our youth are more susceptible to STDs and teen pregnancy. That is a reality that we cannot accept; I remain committed to doing whatever necessary to protect our youth and to help them make good health decisions."

Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and 7 cosponsors introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

"When it comes to sex education, politicized, agenda-driven ‘alternative facts' can have dangerous consequences for the health of our young people," said Senator Hirono. "The YASHS Act improves access to fact-based resources that will help marginalized young people in our communities improve their health outcomes, enhance their futures, and gain confidence that their communities understand, accept, and support them."

Local Advocates see the benefit of this legislation and have moved to endorse it.

"Equality NC is honored to stand with Representative Alma Adams and support the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act of 2017 – the YASHS Act," said Equality North Carolina Interim Executive Director Matt Hirschy. "Far too many youth in this country face far too many barriers that prevent them from accessing very necessary health resources and services. Our current systems are struggling to reach LGBTQ, immigrant and homeless youth and we can't rely on that any longer. That's why Equality NC is proud to endorse Representative Adams' YASHS act alongside so many other organizations."

The YASHS act would authorize the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to award competitive grants for programs that expand access to sexual health services for marginalized youth, including young people of color, immigrant youth, LGBTQ youth, youth in foster care, homeless youth, youth in juvenile detention, and others.

These grants would help organizations bridge barriers to information and access—from discrimination, to a lack of knowledgeable providers, a perceived lack of confidentiality, and transportation and other costs. These barriers can contribute to health challenges and disparities, including high rates of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, unintended pregnancies, and other issues.

The YASHS Act would also ensure that no federal funds are provided for programs that withhold health-promoting or life-saving information about sexuality-related topics, that are inaccurate or ineffective, or are inconsistent with the ethical imperatives of medicine and public health.

Nearly 30 national organizations support the YASHS Act, including the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS), the Human Rights Campaign, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

"SIECUS is grateful for Congresswoman Adams and Senator Hirono's leadership in shepherding this bill that will improve access to sexual and reproductive health care for our nation's most vulnerable young people. As an organization that has dedicated the last 53 years to advocating for the right to sexual health and wellbeing for all, we are encouraged by the steps that Congresswoman Adams, Senator Hirono, and the 12 cosponsors have taken toward achieving this goal." – Chitra Panjabi, SIECUS President & CEO

"For too long youth of color, immigrant, LGBTQ, homeless and incarcerated individuals have been underserved by a system that does not prioritize their sexual health and wellbeing. Systematic barriers like poverty, lack of access to timely and high-quality healthcare services, and limited educational opportunities disproportionately prevent young women and men of color from freely making the best reproductive decisions for themselves and their bodies. These decisions ultimately determine our health, family and future," said Jessica González-Rojas, executive director for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. "We applaud Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Adams (D-NC-12) for the introduction of the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act, and for their continued work to ensure a future where all youth have the power and ability to make their own decisions about sexual and reproductive health, with dignity and self-determination."

This bill was cosponsored by Reps. Aguilar, Barragan, Chu, Conyers, Kelley, Napolitano, Payne, D. Scott, A. Smith, Wilson, Ellison, and Pocan.