By Vianey, Peer Health Educator
As a teen in California, you are entitled to awesome health services provided by local clinics, everything from affordable sexual health services to confidentiality benefits. So, why not take advantage of these benefits? Living in the beautiful state of California comes with all kinds of benefits, including the right to minor consent. Minor consent is basically your right to access health services like birth control and STD testing without your parents permission. This gives you the freedom you need for your own health, without parental constraints.
Thanks to minor consent, a California teen can also access contraceptives, pregnancy testing/prenatal care, and abortion services confidentially. It’s your body, it’s your choice, it’s your privacy. Privacy is an essential factor in everyone's lives, and especially for teens like you and I. California law requires medical professionals to keep information confidential, which can be extremely important when discussing sexual and reproductive health. Yes, sexual and reproductive health can be awkward to discuss with your parent or guardian and that’s why confidentiality is so important.
It’s hard working as a teen, and sometimes you may need money for other essential things. Lucky for you, California offers free to low-cost health services! Just talk to your clinic and they will let you know what’s right for you. If you already have insurance, you can check with your provider to see what services you can access.
Emergency contraceptives and abortion services? California law has got you covered too. You can access emergency contraceptives, (EC), at local clinics and even at some pharmacies without a prescription. Although if you don’t know where to go call 888NOT2LATE or go to www.not2late. com to find a clinic near you. The sooner you take EC, the more effective it is, but you should try and use contraceptives in the first place! If all else fails, you should know that abortion services are confidential, and acknowledge minor consent. However, these services are only offered at certain clinics. Check out TeenSource.org’s page on everything you should know about abortion services.
Now, arent' you glad you live in California? If you still arent' convinced, check out this video!