What legal rights does a child have regarding access to health care?

In Louisiana, children have a right to receive health care under the law. The state’s Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid offer health care coverage for children whose families are low-income or uninsured. Other health care insurance plans must provide some form of coverage for children under the age of 19. This coverage includes doctor visits, hospital care, laboratory tests, immunizations, mental health and substance abuse services, and prescription medications. Children also have the right to access confidential health care. This includes confidential HIV/AIDS testing, mental health services, and reproductive and sexual health services. In Louisiana, teens can access birth control without parental consent, and many forms of health care without parental notification. Under the law, children have a right to make their own decisions about their health care in certain situations. For example, a minor can consent to their own care for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, drug and alcohol abuse, and emergency contraception. Children also have the right to have their medical decisions respected when their guardians are unable to make the decision. In these cases, a court can provide a temporary guardian to make important medical decisions. Finally, children have the right to be free from abuse and neglect when it comes to their health care. If a child is being neglected or abused, they can report it to their doctor or a local child advocacy office. In some cases, the state will intervene and provide medical care if the child’s family is not able or willing to do so.

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