If you read one thing: Almost two years after approving the addition of a free Memorial Hermann clinic for students, Humble ISD's board of trustees are considering ending the contract due to board members' concerns and positions on birth control and transgender issues.
What is the purpose of the clinic?
The student clinic would be owned, operated and staffed by Memorial Hermann and offer health services at no costs to students in and around the Humble High School campus.
The idea came about after Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital CEO Justin Kendrick told Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen that many students are brought into emergency rooms for health care that would be better suited for another setting.
What are board members' concerns?
Trustees raised concerns about Hermann's stipulation in the contract that family planning and birth control must be provided in the clinic, along with worries that transgender students could obtain gender-affirming care without parental permission.
Board member Chris Parker said it would be hypocritical to provide birth control to students, if Humble ISD's sex education classes emphasize abstinence.
How has the hospital responded?
Memorial Hermann said it does not provide gender affirming care in any of its school clinics, which are already present at several school systems within the Houston area.
Fagen has said that, with parental consent, the clinic will discuss and provide birth control methods with students who require or want that, but would not provide abortions or abortion care.
Read Chevall Pryce's full story here.
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