Lisa,

I agree with you and thank you for writing this letter showing a different perspective.

I do wish there was some way that medical history information could be provided to you and other people who are adopted, though.

nit, I am in agreement with the last paragraph of your post.

While I resonate with what the LTTE writer states, I am concerned for people such as she due to medical issues. There are MANY illnesses, etc. that one can be genetically predisposed. So for that reason I am concerned for those "chosen" children.

Shalom

There is another side to this coin. My domestic partner was adopted when he was a baby. Certain medical problems have occurred with his grandchildren that perhaps could have been prevented prior to their births or even after their births if he had more information about his biological parents' medical histories. Adoption records should be opened as this is a problem with children who have been adopted, both during their own lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren.

Anthony,

One thing I learned a couple of weeks ago is that even if adoption records are opened, there is still no legislation that would allow adoptees to see their biological parent's medical history without their consent.

nit, with the HIPPA Law that began at the beginning of this century, that is more than likely true. A great deal of medical information, etc. is not available to anyone other than the patient unless that patient gives written permission for the information to be released.

Yet, there is a need for people to know some things for their own good as well as potiential offspring.

Shalom

Lisa, I am glad you are happy with the parents you had. When this happens in adoption it is the most terrific thing. However, you state:

"My heritage and genealogy are tied to the people and families whose names appear on my birth certificate as it exists today."

This is NOT true. And when it comes to medical, if you are putting down their medical history as family history, you are living in very dangerous territory. Please remember, their blood does not run in your veins. There is no way your genetics is tied to theirs.

Nit, I did not say there was no way if this access was given that adoptees could not get their medical info.

With the legislation we are proposing is a Contact Preference form for biological parents to be able to fill out and return.

However if they fill it in with one of the two following, they are REQUIRED to send in updated family medical history also to be forwarded on to the adoptee or the descendant of a deceased adoptee.

Contact through an intermediary
No Contact

Once again people please remember this is NOT about reunions. It is about a right that everyone else has. To be able to access the TRUE document of their birth, not a falsified document which does not even give an adoptee the true county they were born in.

Our state should never have been in the business of telling people who they can talk to or not and should not be in the future. The only people they do this with are felons, and personally I would rather not be in that category.

The adoption law as written is terrific for the adoption of minors. However, please give adoptees the due respect and allow them to become adults like everyone else. Stop refering to us as adopted children and give us our true document of birth. We never asked for our documents to be sealed. We are adults and can handle the truth.

Roberta MacDonald
Chair - NC Coalition for Adoption Reform
NC State Representative - American Adoption Congress

Roberta,

That kind of flies in the face of HIPPA if you require someone to share their medical histories.

Non-adopted children would have a tough time forcing their parents to give them their medical histories.

I can see both sides, though. It will be interesting to see how this moves forward.

nit,
First of all, read your post, you throw out 'adopted children' like it is nothing. We are once again talking about adults.

You see this would not be a issue with a biological adult and their parents, am I correct? And if it was, could not that adult take their parents to court if necessary in order to obtain pertinent medical information which is needed? The only difference is that person would not have to show 'just cause' for getting the information.

I don't think this flies in the face of HIPPA to gain access to updated medical information which a normal non-adopted person would already have access to. Besides the birthparent does not have to give their name if they are sending in the CPF wanting contact through an intermediary or no contact.

All you get is updated medical information.

Adoptees should NOT be treated differently than everyone else once they become an adult, just because they were adopted.

I should be able to give a doctor MY FAMILY medical history and not have to tell them I am adopted and therefore can't.

Roberta MacDonald
Chair - NC Coalition for Adoption Reform
NC State Rep - American Adoption Congress

Roberta,

Thanks for the explanation. I didn't understand the part about the birthparent remaining anonymous. That seems to address several issues.

As for the 'adopted children' thing, that must be a pet peeve for you or something? I understand we're talking about adults. I'm an adult but I still think of myself as my parent's child. I'm not trying to throw anything out that offends.

Thanks

You're much more familiar with the terminology than I am so I guess when I say one thing you're interpreting another. Sorry for the confusion.

The word adoptee feels weird to me but I'll try to use it in future conversations.