Lawsuit challenge order to birth-control clinics

Critics Wednesday charged the Reagan administration with ignoring the consequences of its order that clinics tell parents when girls of less than 18 years get birth-control prescriptions. The government published the controversial rule in the Federal Register Wednesday.

Some clinics say they would rather give up the government money than comply with the regulation. At least three lawsuits are being filed by critics to try to block the regulation, which will take effect Feb. 25.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America has already filed suit, and a US district court hearing is set for Feb. 16. The organization says it will give up federal funds rather than comply. A suit was also filed by the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, representing hospitals, clinics, and other family-planning centers.