November 3, 2009 11:00 AM
Health care and parental rights
From ParentalRights.org - an organization you need to consider joining/keeping up with:
Health Care and Parental Rights
Rumor has it the latest version of the Health Care Bill, H. Res. 3962, is scheduled to be voted on Thursday, November 5. While the narrow scope of ParentalRights.org's mission means we have no official position on health care in general, we have great concerns about any proposed bill that would impact parental rights.
On page 1176 of the current 1990-page proposal, one finds the beginning of Section 1904: "Grants to States for Quality Home Visitation Programs for Families with Young Children and Families Expecting Children." Under the provisions of this section, federal funds would be made available "to provide voluntary home visitation for as many families with young children (under the age of school entry) and families expecting children as practicable, through the implementation or expansion of high quality home visitation programs..." (p. 1182, emphasis added).
Such programs often lead to unnecessary and harmful government intrusion into the home. Further, what begins as voluntary often becomes mandatory, especially if it provides a conduit for federal funds to be poured into state projects. Finally, the language "for as many families...as practicable" creates a mandate (as the funds provide a motive) for states and their agencies to invade every family unit that they can.
Of course, this particular section would not be a concern if the Constitution already included the proposed Parental Rights Amendment to protect the liberty of fit parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children. Once the amendment is adopted, the rights of parents will be protected even when state counselors have a good reason to visit the home (though the amendment will not harbor child abusers). The primary role of parents, rather than bureaucrats, in decision-making for children will be permanently secured.
If you have an opinion to share with your congressman regarding H. Res 3962, you can find his contact information by clicking on your state at our States Watch page.
And when you're sharing your opinion with your friends, why not mention to them the proposed Parental Rights Amendment that will protect the right of parents to make legal, medical, and disciplinary decisions for their kids, regardless of what kinds of bills Congress chooses to pass? Urge them to sign the petition at ParentalRights.org.
Posted in Activism, Health, Parental Rights | Permalink
