AB 499 is on Governor Brown’s desk and we need his signature. With the Right wing gearing up to oppose this simple measure, we need your help now more than ever!
Under California state law, minors are able to consent to
confidential medical services. While physicians encourage patients to involve
parents, the Legislature has recognized that
involvement is not always practical and what is paramount is that teens receive
timely, necessary medical care.
However, there is a gap in the law relative to prevention of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Existing law only specifies the ability to consent to diagnosis and treatment. This omission creates a barrier to time-critical preventive services. At the time the law was passed, the preventive options we have today were not in existence.
AB 499 would fill
that gap by allowing minors to receive services to prevent STD’s.
AB 499 falls in line with what our young Asian folks in our organization
want—which is access to medically accurate information and services which keep
them healthy and strong.
Asian parents care deeply for their child’s health and well-being, but their involvement is not always practical. In conversation with Asian
parents through focus groups we conducted around issues like STD prevention, they
spoke honestly about their lack of medically accurate information and lack of
comfort with the topic. Language and
cultural barriers, plus unfamiliarity with the health care system, puts them at
an even great disadvantage. Moreover, young people in our program have expressed that they will not seek the medical care they need if they knew they parents were going to find out.
Thankfully, parents are not the only adults that make up young people’s family. Caring nurses and doctors have been a reliable
and trusted source of information for young people. AB 499 recognizes that
young people want to take care of themselves, and that nurses and doctors are
part of the broader circle of support that makes up strong families.
Please support AB 499
today by calling the Governor’s office at: 916-445-2841! You can also click here to take action online.
He has until October 9th to sign or veto the bill but he could do either at any moment--he needs to hear your support now!
He has until October 9th to sign or veto the bill but he could do either at any moment--he needs to hear your support now!
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Blog posts represent the opinion of the author, not necessarily Forward Together or Strong Families.