Big O tells the truth about teen health care decisions

Again and again, the proponents of Measure 43 (the parental notification measure) suggest that parents have the right to direct every aspect of their teenage daughters lives. Check this statement out from the absurdly-named ProtectOurTeenDaughters.com:

Currently, Oregon law assures that a parent is responsible for their child’s welfare in every other situation—tattoos, ear piercing, school field trips, taking an aspirin—but they can get an abortion without a parent ever knowing.

But the Oregonian made the truth crystal clear. In an editorial:

Under Oregon law, children need parental consent for nearly all medical treatment. By adolescence, however, the rules begin to change. Minors of any age can seek confidential birth control. Those who become pregnant can decide on their own to give birth and keep their babies or place them for adoption.

By age 14, teenagers can be treated for mental health problems or drug addictions without parental involvement. By age 15, teenagers are considered old enough to consent to nearly all medical care, including HIV testing and treatment, dental work, hospital care, surgery and abortion.

That's right, folks. By age 15, teens can consent to all kinds of medical care. And the Oregonian helpfully points out that doctors still have the right to notify parents when necessary:

In fact, doctors are explicitly empowered to talk to parents without the patient's consent "whenever the disclosure is clinically appropriate and will serve the best interests of the minor's treatment"

But, that's a medical decision. Why? Because sometimes it's a bad thing to talk to the parents.

But there's a reason why parental involvement is encouraged rather than required: In some cases, the requirement can harm the patient. Decades of research into adolescent behavior have shown that teenagers (much like adults) will delay or avoid getting help for sensitive medical issues when they fear getting exposed or judged for their condition.

With pregnancy, when every week counts, this is the biggest health risk of parental-notification laws.

Measure 43 offers one concession to teenage girls who are ashamed or fear a violent reaction at home. These girls can request a hearing with the state and plead their case before an administrative judge. This option isn't acceptable. No one in Oregon should be required to beg a state bureaucrat for medical care.

Read the rest. Discuss.

And visit NoOn43.com to donate or volunteer.