When you walk into a doctor’s office with your child, you don’t check your rights at the door.
As a parent, you are your child’s strongest advocate. And while doctors and healthcare providers offer guidance and support, you make the final call when it comes to your child’s care. That’s not just an opinion—it’s backed by medical ethics, federal law, and long-standing patient protections.
Understanding your rights is the first step to confidently navigating the healthcare system and making educated choices for your family.
Here are five key rights every parent should know:
1. The Right to Refuse Care
You have the legal and ethical right to decline any treatment, procedure, or intervention offered to your child.
Whether it’s a diagnostic test, medication, or medical procedure, your informed refusal must be respected as long as the decision doesn’t place your child in immediate, life-threatening danger.
2. The Right to Privacy
Your child’s health information is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means that you control who can see, access, or share your child’s medical records, unless there’s a legal exception.
You also have the right to ask questions about how your child’s information is stored and used—and to request corrections to their medical records if needed.
3. The Right to Equal Respect
No matter your personal values, beliefs, or parenting style, your healthcare provider is obligated to treat you with respect and dignity.
You are entitled to ask questions, take your time making decisions, and receive care free from discrimination or pressure. Your concerns are valid. You deserve to be heard.
4. The Right to Know Your Options
Your doctor should give you clear, complete information about all medically appropriate choices for your child—including potential benefits, risks, and alternatives.
You have the right to ask about second opinions, natural or lifestyle-based approaches, or even delaying non-urgent treatments. Informed consent means you get the full picture—not just a single recommendation.
5. The Right to Choose What’s Best
Ultimately, you make the decisions about what’s right for your child. Providers are there to advise—not to coerce. You can (and should) take the time to weigh your options, trust your instincts, and make the decision that aligns with your family’s values.
As long as your child is not in immediate medical danger, your choice is what counts.
You Have the Final Say
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in a medical setting—but you’re not powerless. In fact, you are your child’s first and most important line of defense. When you know your rights, you’re better equipped to ask the right questions, push for clarity, and confidently make the best decisions for your child.
Remember:
- You’re allowed to say “not right now” or “I’d like a second opinion.”
- You don’t have to accept the first option presented.
- You have a voice—and it matters.
Being educated is being empowered. And no one knows your child like you do.