KNOW YOUR RIGHTSMinnesota Patient Rights Concerning:

Morning After Pill, Birth Control, and Abortion

I know I have the option of taking birth control, receiving the Morning-After pill, or getting an abortion.

Do you know about these options?

When we as a society rely on our providers to give us information concerning our health, we often rely on their judgments too much.

Do you know if your provider is telling you all of your options concerning contraceptives?

Many know that it is legal for anybody at any age to buy condoms.

Does everyone know that in Minnesota no matter what age you are you have a right to receive birth control and confidentiality. This means whether you are given a prescription for birth control or whether you are receiving an emergency contraception (Minnesota Statute 144.343).

Did you know if you are over the age of 17 years old in Minnesota you can get the Plan B medication over the counter?

Did you know that in Minnesota a parent does not need to give consent for a minor to have an abortion? In fact, all the minor needs is a paper signed by their parents that tells the clinic that the parents are aware that their Daughter is having an abortion. This should not be confused with a permission slip. This is a “yes I have been notified slip”.

Patients in Minnesota also have the right to advocacy services. This is for those who need assistance in understanding these rights of the patient.

Informed Consent also gives you, the patient, power in that you have the right to be told all necessary information to make medical decisions off of. Therefore, your provider must give you all of your options.

If you feel that your provider is not telling you all of your options you can ask to be referred to a provider who can help you.

Why is it important to know your rights concerning these topics?

It is important to know these laws because everyone deserves to know their rights.

Many assume that providers tell their patients all their possible options when it comes to pregnancy or contraceptives. Also, it is law that providers must tell their patients the alternatives to a treatment or procedure (as stated in the Minnesota Patient’s Bill of Rights) this does not always happen.

Although we like to think that our providers would tell us all of our medical options, some providers have biases and opinions of their own.

If you have a provider that has judgments toward abortion they may not tell you that it is an option.

If you have a provider that uses religious beliefs at the clinic or hospital they may not tell you any option regarding the contraception or abortion.

I’m not talking about providers at religious affiliated hospitals, I am talking about State Hospitals and their providers.

The army has a don’t ask don’t tell policy. Many small town clinics and hospitals have a policy that let’s their providers religious morals get in the way of the patient’s right to know and the law.

Although this is illegal it is unreported because these small town hospitals want to keep their providers.

Therefore it is important that you take your life in your hands and not rely on a provider to tell you what your options are!

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

You can learn about the Minnesota Patient’s Bill of Rights at:

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/consumerinfo/mn_pts_rights_eng_reg.pdf

For a helpful website that can teach you about birth control, contraceptives, STD’s and STI’s, pregnancy, abortion, and adoption visit:

http://www.birdsandbees.org

References

http://www.birdsandbees.org/BirthControlYourRights.htm

http://commonlaw.findlaw.com/2009/04/fda-approves-plan-b-morning-after-pill-for-17yearolds.html

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/consumerinfo/mn_pts_rights_eng_reg.pdf