Choice and Health Care
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
April 1, 2009 1:45pm CST
We've talked about "choice" and what it means in the context of abortion, but what about other decisions parents make for their offspring?
Apparently mothers have the "right" to abort their fetuses, but that seems to be where freedom of choice ends. How?
How many people respect the rights of parents to decide what form of health care is best for their kids? Many people don't even think there should be a choice.
Should innoculations be required by law, on the time table set by health departments and the DCD? What penatly should be imposed on parents who choose not to get their kids innoculated? Should parents even have the opportunity to choose against it?
Is medicine the only form of health care available? Chiropractic, homeopathy, accupunture, accupressure, applied kinesiology, nutrition and other forms of health care are all legal. Should parents have the right to choose either of these over medicine? If not, what do you think the government should do about parents who refuse medical treatment for kids, in favor of other systems?
We use terms like "Freedom" and "Choice" a lot, but do we really believe in them, or do we insist on them for ourselves, but not for anyone who uses them to do things we don't agree with?
6 people like this
8 responses
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
1 Apr 09
The parents should have the freedom to chose what type of health care that their children receive. Prescription medicine is not always the best choice with all the side effects that it has. Each person should be able to choose what they want to do.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1 Apr 09
Exactly! But that isn't the reality, is it.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I think it should always be up to the parent. The government has no place in telling me how to raise and take care of children.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
3 Apr 09
I agree to a point. I think there is a legitimate line to be drawn, but the line should be with the parent/child relationship in mind, not the whims of the people or the force of government.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
2 Apr 09
Parents should have the choice for the health care their children get. I also wonder why that a nurse in a school cannot give a child a tylenol, but a girl can get an abortion with no trouble. AFter all a tylenol will not hurt anyone. And if a parent prefers another health care system, they should have the same right to choose.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
3 Apr 09
Exactly, and thank you!
It aslo bothers me that school officials and school nurses will blatantly lie to parents, denying they are in their rights to sign waivers exempting their kids from the innoculation requirement.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 Apr 09
Of course I believe parents should have the right to choose what kind of health care their children receive, including chiropractic and other "natural" treatments. They shouldn't be forced to load them up with antibiotics whenever they get the sniffles. Regarding inoculations, that's sometimes a different story; as long as there are dangerous communicable diseases that could still be a threat to all children, do you really think it should be OK for some parents to choose not to have their children protected against them? That puts everyone at the risk of a serious and deadly epidemic. Once a disease has been more or less conquered, as was the case with smallpox a few decades ago, then there should be a choice for awhile until the vaccination is phased out. That's how it was when my daughter was small and our doctor advised against her getting it and I followed his advice. I know this is getting into touchy territory, but what about parents who may refuse lifesaving treatments such as blood transfusions for religious reasons? Do YOU think the parents should have the choice to allow their child to die? I intend no offense to anyone but I do NOT!
Annie
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
2 Apr 09
You pose some good questions. Personally, I always went the "conformist" route when it came to having my children vaccinated, but, from what I understand there are ways around that. Of course, you have to be more of a person who takes the time to find things out. I've had friends who didn't believe in vaccination, I thought I heard that there were ways around it (stating religious beliefs), but I'm not certain if I'm right there.
Should parents be able to choose what type of healthcare to seek for their children? I guess I'd be a hypocrite if I said no, right?
Actually, for the most part, I think parents should have the right to choose.
There are a variety of healthcare approaches, I've known people who are strong believes in alternative medicines and primarily use them.
I'm not as on top of things as you are, when it comes to current laws and all the details, but I thought for the most parent parents can choose which type of healthcare they use for their children.
I almost want to say that there might be SOME cases where the government should step in, there might be cases of pure neglect. I think in that case, it would be acceptable.
As for cases where a family refuses blood transfusions etc. I am honestly on the fence about that. In my mind it would fall into the category of similar questions such as euthenasia for those who are terminally ill and the arguments and questions that arise with life support. I think those are questions that individuals must answer for themselves.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2 Apr 09
True, a line does have to be drawn, but the question is, where do we draw it? Some would say, "when the life of the child is threatened", but then what do we say when the treatment ends up being what kills the child?
If we are going to pass laws taking the choice from parents, what responsibility do we have to the parents and the children if they are harmed by what we force upon them?
@angela38 (122)
• United States
2 Apr 09
If you ask me we are making a huge mistake when we let people tell us how we should and should not be able to take care of ourselves or them we are taking care of. In my case it is the government telling me that because of the plan I am on in healthcare wise many of the things I need for me to help me better my health the insurance will not cover it that I am on. Then thry come along and tell us how we need to take care of a child, Is it any wonder why that people do not at times go to the doctor for their kids? If you ask me they do not want the assle affter the visitr is over with about what will and won't be paid after the visit by the coverage they have in the first place!
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
2 Apr 09
If we lose the right to choice in the health care of our children, losing our right to be able to decide what is best for their health can't be far behind.
When my son went in to have his tonsils out and the nurse made a comment about my only imagining he was allergic to penicillin or "Your daughter's not really autistic, she's just quirky." Without my right to have a say over my kids health, where would they be right now?
@chuan258641xing (108)
• China
2 Apr 09
a baby came from other place I awalys think it is right may be they are from other place when we going to die we will go to other place start a new life but will forget about the life we living now ,no matter you do what for the new life ,it will keep on living , you just like a legate who open the door to welcome them if you dont open it they may wait for you to open or go to anthoer door ,all this just besid on what are you thinking!for me I'll do the determind at the beginning