AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

535 NORTH DEARBORN STREET o CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60610 o PHONE (312) 645-5000 o TWX910-221-0300

PRESIDENT-ELECT

WILLIAMS. HOTCHKISS, M.D.
2147 Old Greenbrier Road
Chesapeake, Virgmia 23320

November 26, 1986

C. Everett Koop, M. D.
Room 716-G
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Dear Doctor Koop:

I just wanted to send you a note complimenting you on your remarks
which were made on the public service  television program entitled,
"Telling the Truth."

I guess I am one of the old-time doctors also, but I definitely
feel that when a fifteen-year-old girl comes to the doctor and
wants contraceptive advice,  she certainly deserves more than
a simple prescription for the Pill.

There are many other problems associated with sexual activity
at this age,  and the patient definitely needs some education
and information about them,  One can be reasonably certain that
such an individual has not been told of the potential of the
very serious infectious diseases,  the possibility of failure
of any contraceptive method,  the unlikelihood of any relationship
formed at this age being a lasting one, and the serious mental
and even psychiatric problems which may develop as a result of
such activity.

In contrast to other members of the panel, I do not feel that
the provision of such information is meddlesome,  and I definitely
consider this type of information to be medical information and
not simply moral meddling as implied by other members of the panel.

Congratulations on the job you are doing.
Sincerely yours -'

w. S. Hotchklss, M. D.
WSH:kts