In normal situations, yes. But Medical personnel act 'in loco parentis', that is, in the place of parents when they are dealing with ICU cases. Most states not only support this, but actively encourage it. The same applies to needing medical care if a child is in school and school staff doesn't believe parents can be reached. Some carry it even further, and will dispense birth control or other 'services' to minors without a parent's knowledge or consent. You have to treat them as state actors unless they clearly behave as your advocates, sad to say.
In normal situations, yes. But Medical personnel act 'in loco parentis', that is, in the place of parents when they are dealing with ICU cases. Most states not only support this, but actively encourage it. The same applies to needing medical care if a child is in school and school staff doesn't believe parents can be reached. Some carry it even further, and will dispense birth control or other 'services' to minors without a parent's knowledge or consent. You have to treat them as state actors unless they clearly behave as your advocates, sad to say.
Wow, what a slippery slope! Good to know of these situations where we lose parental rights.