AKRON CENTER FOR CHOICE / AKRON ASSN. OF DOCTORS
88 S. PORTAGE PATH # 106
AKRON, OH 44303
330-867-3400

TAPE – 774

(Dialing, phone ringing 2x)

CLINIC: Akron Center for Choice. Can I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to see if you guys do abortions there.

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: How much does it cost for that?

CLINIC: Do you know how far along you are?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Hold on one second, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

(Pause)

CLINIC: Do you know when your last menstrual period started?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: January 3rd?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: That’s going to put you at about 9 or 10 weeks right now, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: The prices I’m going to give you are going to go up through your 12th week. Are you a student or do you have any government assistance?

CALLER: Well, no. I’m going to be 14 later on this month, and my friend said that you guys would have to tell my parents about all this. But my boyfriend’s 22. He said he would take care of it all. Would that be all right?

CLINIC: If what? If he paid it?

CALLER: Right, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: The only reason we wouldn’t be able to tell anybody is if you had what’s called a court bypass. What you do is you’re going to have to go to court. You’re going to have to make an appointment with somebody. And you’re going to explain to the judge why you feel that you need to terminate the pregnancy. And if the judge feels that you’re responsible enough to make a decision like that on your own, then he can grant you that.

CALLER: Does he ever not grant that?

CLINIC: There’s situations where he hasn’t. If he feels that it’s a reasonable situation, then I don’t see why he wouldn’t. But I’m not to sure about how they do that or how they go about it, okay?

CALLER: Do I need like a lawyer?

CLINIC: No. What county do you live in?

CALLER: I live in Kent.

CLINIC: In Kent, which is Portage County?

CALLER: I think so.

CLINIC: Mike says — one of the nurses here. He says that you really should probably not have a problem with that, getting it granted to you. You probably shouldn’t.

(Talking to someone else). How old is she? Fourteen.

Fourteen?

CALLER: I’ll be 14 on the 19th.

CLINIC: You’ll be how old, hon?

CALLER: Fourteen.

CLINIC: (Talking to someone else) Yeah, she’ll be 14 on the 9th, on Saturday.

CALLER: No, on the 19th.

CLINIC: (Talking to someone else) Oh, on the 19th.

Okay. Well, at your age it might be a little more difficult to get that. But I mean, that’s what you’re going to have to do if you’re trying not to tell your parents, okay? But if that doesn’t work out, then you’re going to have to have a parent come with you in order for us to do the procedure.

CALLER: The thing is, my boyfriend said that he would pay for everything with cash, but he just doesn’t want anyone to know about us. Would he have to sign any forms or anything?

CLINIC: No. That doesn’t matter who pays. That’s not what the whole deal is. By law, we can’t do the procedure unless you have the court bypass or unless we have a parent or guardian’s signature.

CALLER: Well, after I get the bypass or whatever, would anyone there have to know about him?

CLINIC: No, nothing at all. I mean, if you have that, then it’s our responsibility to keep all of your information confidential. We’re not allowed to give out your name to anybody.

CALLER: How much does it cost to get the bypass?

CLINIC: You know I really don’t even know. I don’t think it cost anything for that exactly. I think it cost to pay for the court. Do you know what I mean, to pay for the court visit. But I’m not even sure how much that is. I don’t think it’d be any more than 50. I’m not even sure if it’s that much or if it even cost at all. But you have to call the county courthouse, wherever that is or whatever phone number that is. It will be in the front section of the phone book in federal offices — or in state offices; I’m sorry. Just look under there, and call them and find out what you need to do. Because I know you’re going to have to make an appointment with somebody first. And you’re going to go see them. And then after you see them, you’re going to have to schedule another appointment for the judge. So depending when they can get you in, that can take up to a couple weeks.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: But the price for it, because you’re still in school, it would be either 275 or 300, depending on which anesthetic you wanted.

CALLER: Do you guys do a pregnancy test first just to make sure? Because I haven’t had one yet.

CLINIC: You haven’t had one yet? What’s making you think you’re pregnant?

CALLER: Well, I haven’t had my period since January.

CLINIC: We can give you a pregnancy test. I would recommend, before you even go through all the trouble of coming here, is to go ahead and get a store pregnancy test, just like a drug store pregnancy test.

CALLER: Are those usually right though?

CLINIC: I mean, they’re just as accurate as anything else. The only difference between them is they may not show up as early as the pregnancy test here will. But because you’ve already missed a period for a whole month, it should be okay. It will show up. But if it shows up negative for some reason, then we’ll do another one here. But before you even go through the trouble of that, I would just recommend going to get one from the store.

CALLER: If it ended up that I wasn’t pregnant, could I come in to see you guys and get birth control?

CLINIC: We don’t really deal with that unless you’re one of our patients. What you could do is I would recommend going to Planned Parenthood. You don’t have to have any parent — like any signatures or any parent come with you or anything like that. It’s all up to you. They’re not allowed to tell your parents about anything, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And if you need to go through them, and they have to call you for some reason, they’ll have a code name with you. I mean, it’s real in detail. But I would recommend if you’re not pregnant, go to Planned Parenthood, the closest one to your house or something, and just ask them about birth control. The way that they charge it is on income. So I’m assuming you don’t have a job.

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: So they probably will just do it by donation, which means they give it to you for free with a recommended donation of X amount of dollars.

CALLER: Would my boyfriend be able to pick up the pills if I was on birth control since I can’t drive yet?

CLINIC: Yeah. You would probably have to be with them, though. In order to get started on it, you’re going to have to be with them, and they’re probably going to give you a starter pack and possibly write you a prescription form. I’m not sure how they work that though. Take it one step at a time first before you worry about that.

First off, go get a pregnancy test from the store and see if you’re pregnant. If you are pregnant, then go through the whole court deal. And then if that works out, then give us a call, and we’ll schedule you an appointment. If you’re not pregnant, then call up Planned Parenthood and set up an appointment to go in to get checked out and see what kind of birth control they recommend for you. And then they can deal with that. And they’ll set up some type of schedule where you come get them or they’ll write you a prescription or something like that. But take it one step at a time.

CALLER: Okay. I wish I could talk to my mom like I’m talking to you. I’m just really worried. But could I call you and ask you if I had any other questions?

CLINIC: Yeah.

CALLER: What was your name?

CLINIC: My name’s Tara.

CALLER: Okay. All right. Thanks.

CLINIC: You’re welcome, honey.

CALLER: Bye.

CLINIC: Bye bye.

***END***

AKRON WOMEN’S MEDICAL GROUP
839 E MARKET ST
AKRON, OH 44305
330-535-9191

TAPE – 775

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Akron Women’s Medical Group. This is Judy. Can I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to see if you guys do abortions there.

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: Do you know how much it cost?

CLINIC: I sure do, honey. How far into the pregnancy are you?

CALLER: I don’t know. How do you know?

CLINIC: Can you tell me the first day of your last normal period?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: If January 3rd is correct, about right now you’re about almost nine weeks. The cost up to 12 weeks is between 300 and $400. And the cost difference, it just matters what type of anesthesia you use and when you come in.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: The thing is I’m going to be 14 later on this month, and my friend said that you guys would have to tell my parents. But my boyfriend’s 22. Is he old enough to take care of it, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: No, honey. No. You have to have a parent permission. You’re 14 and he’s 22?

CALLER: Well, I’m going to be 14 on the 23rd.

CLINIC: You’re not 14 yet?

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: Okay. You’re 13 and he’s 22 (laughing)?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: This is the same thing you would hear from your parents.

CALLER: Well, they know we’re going out. I mean, he works with my dad. They don’t know that we’re having sex. If they found out about that, I don’t know what they would do.

CLINIC: Let me ask you a couple questions, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: What would happen if you told your mom?

CALLER: I don’t know. She would — I don’t know. They would just be furious.

CLINIC: Okay. What county do you live in?

CALLER: I live in Kent. I’m not really sure which county it is.

CLINIC: Okay. If you live in Kent, Ohio, you live in Portage County. I’m going to tell you what you can do to get around telling your parents. But I think in the long run it’s always better if you can tell your parents. Even though you know they’re going to get angry, honey, you’re 13 years old. You should have your parents’ help in this, all right? Because there’s a lot of things that can happen.

Are you on any birth control?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: How long have you been sexually active?

CALLER: Well, about six months.

CLINIC: At 13 if you’re going to be having sex with a 22-year-old, which is really a problem right there —

CALLER: What do you mean?

CLINIC: First of all, he shouldn’t be having sex with a 13-year-old, okay? Because there’s a lot of responsibilities that go along with that. First of all, birth control is very important, not just because you can get pregnant, because there’s a lot of other things can happen to you. And your parents can help you with that. I’m not trying to sound like an old drudge here. It’s just that you need to take care of yourself. And someone that’s much older than you like that doesn’t have your best interest at heart.

CALLER: I mean, he loves me. We’re going to get married. And he said he would take care of me forever.

CLINIC: Okay. But he shouldn’t be getting you pregnant at 13, even if you’re almost 14, because it’s hard on you to have a baby as young as you are, okay?

Now, what you can do to get around this — and I can’t help but to try to help you out here because that’s what I do — you can go to the — and I would probably not go to Portage County. I would come to Summit County. I’m sure he drives. It wouldn’t be a problem for you. Come to Summit County because the judge here in Summit County is very easy. She is not difficult to get.

What you need to do is go to the juvenile court here in Summit County, and you need to speak to a Judge Judith Hunter. And she will give you permission in this instance to act in your own behalf. And what it’s called is a judicial bypass. I will be happy to give you the number, honey. The number is 330-643-2900. You call them up and make an appointment to get a judicial bypass. And what you have to take with you, among other things, is proof of pregnancy. I’m sure you’d have to have your birth certificate with you too.

CALLER: Well, I haven’t had a pregnancy test yet.

CLINIC: Okay. The best thing you can do then, sweetie — do you know where we’re located?

CALLER: Well, my boyfriend does.

CLINIC: Have him bring you here, and we’ll run a pregnancy test, and I can give you a letter stating proof of pregnancy.

CALLER: What time should I come?

CLINIC: Anytime today. My name’s Judy, and I’ll be at the front desk when you come in.

CALLER: What are your hours today?

CLINIC: We’ll open until 6. But do come in way before that, okay?

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Can you tell me about what time you’ll come in?

CALLER: Well, I have to call him and see when he can come and get me.

CLINIC: All right, honey. What’s your first name?

CALLER: It’s Lisa.

CLINIC: Lisa? Okay. I’m right here. My first name is Judy.

CALLER: Would there be any way, like if I wasn’t pregnant, to get birth control from you guys?

CLINIC: No, honey. You’d have to go to Planned Parenthood.

CALLER: But would they have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: No, uh-uh. I think they keep it totally confidential. So first thing we have to do, Lisa, before we jump off the bridge is find out if you’re pregnant.

CALLER: Well, would you have to tell anybody about me and my boyfriend if I came in for a pregnancy test though?

CLINIC: Oh, no, no, no. This is strictly between me and you.

CALLER: Oh, okay. So you wouldn’t have to tell anybody about anything?

CLINIC: No, no, honey. This is totally confidential. This is between you, me and him. So if you can get in some time today, even tomorrow, we’ll run a pregnancy test. If you happen to be positive, then I can give you a letter so you can take it to court, and get you started on this whole thing. All right, sweetie? I’ll be glad to help you out.

CALLER: Well, how much does it cost to go to court?

CLINIC: All of these things are free. I don’t think there’s any cost to that.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: But that’s a question when you call to make your appointment you might want to ask them because truly I’ve never called them and asked them that one. All right?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay, Lisa. So I’ll either see you later today or tomorrow.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: All right, honey.

CALLER: Thank you.

CLINIC: You’re welcome. Bye bye.

***END***

MEDICAL PLANNING SERVICES
692 E MARKET ST
AKRON, OH 44306
330-773-6811

TAPE – 776

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Thank you for calling Medical Planning. How may I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to see if you guys do abortions there.

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: How much does it cost for that?

CLINIC: How far along are you? Do you know that?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: When was your last period?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: That would bring you to being about nine weeks. It would be $395. That would include your medications, your birth control pills, your follow-up visit.

CALLER: I’m kind of worried. I’m going to be 14 later on this month, and my friend told me that you guys would have to tell my parents. But my boyfriend’s 22. Is he old enough to take care of it all, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: How old are you?

CALLER: I’m going to be 14 later on this month, like on the 19th.

CLINIC: Okay. So right now you’re only 13?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: You would have to have a parent accompany you here.

CALLER: Oh. Well, is there any way not to do that? Because I can’t tell them at all.

CLINIC: Not at your age there’s not.

CALLER: What can I do? I mean, they can’t find out at all. They know my boyfriend. He works with my dad, and they know we’re going out. But they don’t know we’re having sex. If they found out about that, I don’t know what they would do. They can’t find out at all.

CLINIC: (Pause) Here at our center, if you’re under — you would have to have a parent come with you. You can’t even go through the court system at 13. If you were older, a judge could determine if you are mature enough to make this decision on your own, but at 13 I don’t think he would do that.

CALLER: Well, what should I do?

CLINIC: You’re going to have to tell mom or dad.

CALLER: But I can’t tell them.

CLINIC: And that’s your only option. You’re going to have to tell them or you’re going to have to continue the pregnancy.

CALLER: Well, I haven’t had a pregnancy test yet. Could I come in there for that, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: Not at your age. You could buy one at the drug store and do at home if you’d like.

CALLER: Are those usually right?

CLINIC: Yeah, they’re pretty accurate.

CALLER: Well, if it ended up that I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control from you guys?

CLINIC: We don’t do that, but Planned Parenthood does.

CALLER: Would they have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: I don’t think so.

CALLER: Oh, okay. If I had any other questions, could I call and talk to you? What was your name?

CLINIC: My name’s Vicky (sp).

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Sure, you can call.

CALLER: All right. Okay. Thanks.

CLINIC: Bye bye.

***END***

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
444 W. EXCHANGE ST
AKRON, OH 44302-1711
330-535-2671

TAPE – 241

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. Can I help you?

CALLER: Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there.

CLINIC: No, we don’t.

CALLER: Do you know of anyone that might?

CLINIC: Yeah. I can give you a phone number.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: 535-9191.

CALLER: Okay. Well, is it all right if I ask you quick question?

CLINIC: Sure. I don’t know if I have the answer, but, yeah, go ahead.

CALLER: Okay. Well, like I was — my friend told me to call you guys, so — but she said that like since I’ll be like — I’ll be 14 in march.

CLINIC: Uh-huh.

CALLER: And that my parents have to know that I’m going to have an abortion.

CLINIC: Yeah.

CALLER: But my boyfriend’s 22. Could he like sign whatever papers he’s going to do?

CLINIC: No, I don’t think so. What you’re going to need to do is call that number I gave you and explain your situation to them and ask them what you can do. I think you have to have a parent or a guardian’s permission, and I don’t think he would — that would not be him.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? So you can ask them though, okay? They might know better than me.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: Well, could I get my like pregnancy test there?

CLINIC: Oh, you haven’t had a test yet?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Well, how do you know you need to have a procedure? You don’t even know if you’re pregnant?

CALLER: Well, no.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: I took a home pregnancy test over the weekend and it was positive, but —

CLINIC: Oh, okay.

CALLER: — I wasn’t sure if I did it right.

CLINIC: Well, you can come here and have a test. We do them like Monday through Thursday from 10 to 5.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You just walk in and they’re $8.00.

CALLER: You wouldn’t have to tell anybody about that at all?

CLINIC: That’s correct.

CALLER: Okay. Would it be all right if my boyfriend brings me?

CLINIC: Yes, it is.

CALLER: Okay. So like if the pregnancy test was negative, could I like get birth control there?

CLINIC: Well, we can talk to you about making an appointment. You wouldn’t be able to have it that day.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Okay? But we can set something up, yeah.

CALLER: But if like I was on birth control you wouldn’t have to tell anybody that I was on it?

CLINIC: No. We don’t have to do any of that here.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Would my boyfriend be able to pick it up?

CLINIC: No. You have to come and get it.

CALLER: Oh, all right.

CLINIC: Okay? And you have to have an exam when you start coming here.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: But let’s do the test first, one step at a time.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? And you come in and have that first, and then we’ll go from there.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Is it all right if I call you back? What was your name?

CLINIC: Vicki.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Sure. Bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

*** THE END ***