New Jersey parents asked to identify their newborn’s sexual orientation
New parents in New Jersey were shocked to receive a form from Inspira Health that asked about their newborn’s sexual orientation and gender identity. The form quickly went viral, sparking outrage and confusion among parents who couldn’t believe they were being asked such personal questions. The questions were part of an effort to comply with a New Jersey law that requires the collection of data on patients’ race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
State Sen. Holly Schepisi, a mother of two, was taken aback when she first saw the form circulating on social media. She described the questions as “outrageous” and “nonsensical,” and decided to take action. Schepisi is introducing legislation to exempt minors from being asked about their sexual orientation and gender identity in medical forms.
According to Schepisi, Inspira Health felt obligated to include these questions in their forms in order to comply with the new state law that was implemented in late June of 2022. The law requires the collection of data to be done in a “culturally competent and sensitive manner,” a requirement that Schepisi finds subjective and problematic.
Inspira Health stated that the questionnaire is required by New Jersey law and the State of New Jersey Department of Health. However, they also mentioned that parents are allowed to decline to provide this information if they choose to do so. Some healthcare workers, including Assemblyman John Azzariti, a medical doctor, found the form to be absurd and preposterous.
Schepisi is confident that she will be able to garner bipartisan support for her legislation, which would create an exemption for minors in the state’s medical records law. She has already spoken to some Democratic state legislators who were shocked to hear about the existence of these forms.
The state senator believes that initiatives such as the collection of this data for medical records stemmed directly from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s office. She pointed out that the law went from introduction to the governor’s desk in a week and a half, which she described as “unheard of.”
In response to the controversy, the New Jersey Department of Health stressed the importance of collecting SOGI data in a clinically appropriate and culturally competent manner. They recommended that hospitals develop internal policies and procedures based on clinical advice to assist their employees in collecting such data.
Overall, the situation has raised concerns among parents and healthcare workers in New Jersey, prompting a push for legislation to protect minors from being asked intrusive questions about their sexual orientation and gender identity. The issue highlights the need for clear guidelines and protocols when collecting sensitive data from patients, especially in the case of newborns.
