For Immediate Release
June 15, 2023
Contact: Connie Johnson
Phone: 517.901.7272
Email: press@greatschoolsinitiative.org
Org: Greatschoolsinitiative.org
ICAN ISSUES LEGAL DEMAND TO MDHHS REGARDING ITS ILLEGAL PROCESS FOR OBTAINING NONMEDICAL VACCINE EXEMPTIONS
Lansing, MI – Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) issued a demand letter to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding the agency’s illegal overreach concerning nonmedical vaccine exemptions for school-aged children.
ICAN’s letter detailed the many legal infractions that MDHHS is conducting when a parent requests a nonmedical exemption at the local health department. These infractaions include entering the child’s waiver information into the state’s vaccine tracking system and denying parents the right to an exemption if they don’t comply with allowing an electronic health record to be created for both the parent and the child. MDHHS’s response was dismissive of the substantial and well-supported allegations.
Additionally, parents who are in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) aren’t given a paper waiver, which is the only reason for the “education” sessions to be conducted. Current Michigan law requires that a parent or guardian turn in a written statement of objection to vaccination directly with the school. MDHHS’s change nullifies parents rights under the law when interacting with a school in handing in an exemption. It also violates privacy of how schools gather, store and share private health information that is protected under both state and federal laws. Anything that violates parental rights and the law within the context of schools is a concern to Great Schools Initiative (GSI). We will be supporting ICAN and Michigan for Vaccine Choice, and helping to monitor the impact that these egregious legal infractions are having on families and schools.
GSI recognizes that all parents have the right to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children. This includes the right to a vaccination exemption under Michigan law. Helping parents and schools to find common ground creates opportunities to increase the quality of education. GSI partners with parents and schools to bridge the gap for this collaboration to stay focused on what clearly matters: education.
For more information please contact: (517) 901-7272 greatschoolsinitiative.org
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