I want to thank my parents for doing a great job. I remember vividly "The Talk" about drugs, alcohol, and sexuality. My parents were open and honest about these issues and made me feel safe in going to them to talk anytime. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for showing me what healthy parent/child communication looks like.
Unfortunately, the government can't mandate healthy parent/child communication where it does not already exist. Not all children feel safe talking to their parents about these sensitive issues. Tragically, many children face abuse and neglect in their own homes. For those children, mandated parental consent laws could place them in danger. That's a big reason why the ACLU of MAINE will oppose two bills, LD 31 and LD 746, next week that would require parental consent for prescriptions, mental health counseling, and alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Proponents of the bill argue for "parental rights." But what about the rights of the child to be safe? What about the rights of the child to receive safe, confidential access to healthcare when he/she is at risk? Doctor/patient confidentiality and health privacy are fundamental tenets of our healthcare system.
Maine's laws are working. Most teens can and do talk to their parents about sex, health, and counseling. Most parents are involved with their child's healthcare and counseling. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and counselors are trained to encourage young people to involve their parents in treatment. As a result of confidential access to contraception, for example, Maine has among the lowest teen pregnancy and abortion rates in the country. We should be proud of that. Under Maine law, we are doing a good job taking care of Maine kids. Unfortunately, LD 31 and LD 746 would take us a step backward, creating unintended consequences of putting children at risk and undermining the fundamental tenet of medical privacy.
On Tuesday, March 22, we will be testifying before the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary in Room 438 of the Statehouse at 1 pm in opposition to both of these bills. Do you share our concerns? Contact your legislator here to defend medical privacy.
