Public acceptance of circumcision legislation
The public is becoming more aware of the harm of ENTIC (Elective Non-Therapeutic Infant Circumcision) and the importance of protecting male childrens’ bodily autonomy. Sponsoring legislation in this area may favorably increase a legislator’s profile with their constituents. HEC can help you in this area and avoid the pitfalls.
Circumcision and Medical Necessity
Health insurance is only supposed to cover medically necessary procedures. Medically necessary is defined as: “Services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat an illness, injury, or disease, and not for cosmetic reasons or for convenience.” Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners naic.org; heathcare.gov
Medicaid by law shall only pay for medically necessary procedures.
Drafting Healthcare Law Covering Circumcision
There can be compelling debate when it comes to discussion over legislative policy and bodily autonomy with regards to elective, non-medically necessary infant circumcision. This can involve consideration of ethics, individual rights, parents rights, and medical practices. Advocates on both sides argue about where the line should be drawn between protecting individual freedoms and protecting socialized health care. However we have often found that there is more consensus on reform legislation than one might think.
Legislative policy regarding bodily autonomy often pertains to laws that govern a person’s right to make decisions about their own body without interference or coercion by hospitals or other entities. This concept is crucial in areas such as medical treatment choices and personal autonomy. The Campaign’s model legislation can help parents make better choices with proxy healthcare decisions.
Medically unnecessary infant circumcision is commonly practiced in America. However most other countries around the world including Canada have discouraged the practice outside of religious ceremonies. Infant circumcision rates are declining in America. Now seventeen states have stopped funding the procedure under insurance coverage unless there is bona fide medical need.
