Ohio Senate to Debate Bill Giving Parents Full Access to Minors' Health Records
The Ohio Senate is set to consider a bill, the My Child-My Chart Act, that aims to give parents full access to their minor child's health records. Introduced by Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, in response to parental concerns, the bill has sparked debate and concern from LGBTQ+ activists.
Currently, teens aged 14 and older in Ohio can receive outpatient mental health services without parental consent for a short period. The My Child-My Chart Act seeks to change this, requiring healthcare providers to inform parents about circumstances where minors can receive care without consent, and about the limits on parental access to medical records in such cases. However, Equity Ohio argues that the bill could 'erase an existing balance' and 'strip away critical lifelines' for young people, including LGBTQ+ youth, who may fear rejection or need mental health support. Ohio Right to Life, a lobbying organization, opposed the bill. The Senate has yet to schedule committee hearings for the bill.
The My Child-My Chart Act, if passed, will significantly alter the current healthcare landscape for minors in Ohio. While it aims to increase parental involvement, it also raises concerns about the potential impact on vulnerable youth, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community. The Senate will soon decide the bill's fate, with committee hearings yet to be scheduled.
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