The Painful Truth Show. The Privacy Act.

The notion that many minors have the capacity and, indeed, the right to make important decisions about health care has been well established in federal and state policy. Many states specifically authorize minors to consent to contraceptive services, testing and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, prenatal care and delivery services, treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, and outpatient mental health care. With the exception of abortion, lawmakers have generally resisted attempts to impose a parental consent or notification requirement on minors' access to reproductive health care and other sensitive services. Nevertheless, the movement to "restore" parental rights and to legislate parental control over minors' reproductive health care decisions remains active. So should parents be informed if their minor wants to get birth control? Chime in Jan 12 9AM EST and share your views.