Teenagers on Medi-Cal can now access counseling without parental consent

KFF Family News reported on recent legislation in California that allows teenagers on Medi-Cal insurance (in California) to gain access to mental health counseling without needing authorization from parents. Some lawmakers voted against the legislation, with the sentiment that "If my child is dealing with a mental health crisis, I want to know about it." However, teenagers on private health insurance plans already have access to mental health counseling without requiring parental authorization.

Both sides likely have a reasonable basis for their arguments: on one hand, parents should be involved with and consent to mental health treatment of their children, but on the other hand, there might be some situations (especially in abusive or neglectful households) where such requirements prove harmful. The particular example of the teenager who championed the legislation does not seem compelling based on what is presented in the article, although her accomplishment in seeing her advocacy result in a new law is noteworthy. Either way, there does seem to be an issue of consistency, where the requirement to have parental consent should not depend on whether the health insurance is private or public.