UPDATED LINKS: New York Action: LAST DAY to STOP A837
Lawmakers want to remove Medical Exemptions from vulnerable children
(Sorry for the repost! Corrected action links below)
Once again, under the guise of health and safety, protections for children in New York State are being threatened. Specifically, A837 seeks to remove medical exemptions from students, which would essentially prevent medically fragile children from accessing public education and other public services.
Every child has their own unique medical situation and one-size-fits all legislation undermines their health and safety. This is exactly why medical exemptions have always been part of public health policy. Furthermore, data shows that in New York fewer than one in 1,000 students have medical exemptions compared to the national average of about 1 in 25 students, proving there is no systemic abuse of the current system.
This is yet another encroachment on the right of parents to make the best medical and educational decisions for their children.
If you live in New York State, please consider taking action!
This comment isn't specific to this bill: there's the underlying question of whether a government can legitimately require kids to get a vaccine in order to attend a public school that's being funded by taxes levied on their parents.
It's similar to the "no taxation without representation" philosophy.