Choice and Health Care  

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.

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

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.

Inoculations prevent the spread of infectious disease, and someone doesn't have the right to exercise their choice at the expense of the community at large.

Children aren't property to be disposed of or dealt with as we see fit. I have the right to experiment with any health care I deem appropriate for ME, but I don't have the right to endanger my child. And I have the right to not get vaccinated, but I don't have the right to put my child's safety or health at risk. And the fact is that nations that practice vaccinations don't have children dying from diseases that those vaccinations have all but wiped out.

The same is true for "alternative" medicines. While some treatments are promising, a great many more amount to nothing more than dangerous snake oil. A parent has a grave obligation to get their child whatever care they need without further endangering their lives and safety.

It's a delicate balance, I know, but I see myself as the guardian of my childrens' well being; they aren't guinea pigs or billboards or property.

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

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?

This post contains content of a mature nature. You must be Signed in or Registered to have the option to view this content.

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!

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.

Parents should have some choices but it must be limited, when it can affected the general population their choices should be limited. For examples, if the parent does not want a child to get an injection for a communicable disease...well that is not acceptable.

And then I hate to bring this up, let's take a look at Jett Travolta...what happened there...well it seems his parents were in denial about his condition and they were not getting it treated in an appropriate manner. Sorry, a religion that endangers a child's life is not an allowable choice.

Or where the kids get hugged to death in a church!!!

I think most forms of alternative medical treatment can be used in conjunction with standard medical practices.