Parents sometimes deny their children the benefits of medical care because of religious beliefs. In some jurisdictions, exemptions to child abuse and neglect laws restrict government action to protect children or seek legal redress when the alleged abuse or neglect has occurred in the name of religion. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that all children deserve effective medical treatment that is likely to prevent substantial harm or suffering or death. In addition, the AAP advocates that all legal interventions apply equally whenever children are endangered or harmed, without exemptions based on parental religious beliefs. To these ends, the AAP calls for the repeal of religious exemption laws and supports additional efforts to educate the public about the medical needs of children.
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1 February 1997
American Academy of Pediatrics|
February 01 1997
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This article has been reaffirmed:
AAP Publications Retired or Reaffirmed, October 2006
This article has been reaffirmed:
Policy Statement—AAP Publications Retired and Reaffirmed
Citation
Committee on Bioethics; Religious Objections to Medical Care. Pediatrics February 1997; 99 (2): 279–281. 10.1542/peds.99.2.279
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