Effective July 1, 2024, Idaho passed a new law requiring parental consent for all medical services given to
youth under 18. The passage of this law repeals current Idaho code that protects the privacy of
young people through medical disclosure regulations for youth ages 14 to 18. This law does not apply to emancipated minors.

Under this new law, minors must now have parental consent for access to contraceptives, mental health care, treatment for drug abuse, and treatment for infectious disease, including sexually transmitted illnesses.

Under the new law, healthcare providers can only preserve patient confidentiality when:

• A patient is at risk of death or “imminent, irreparable physical injury”
• A court has prohibited parental access to medical records, or
• A parent is being investigated for a crime against their child

This means that parents have the right to access health information held by health care providers or governmental entities for their children under the age of 18. Previously, access could be limited after age 14.

BCH understands that it is often hard for parents to bring their teenage children to all their appointments. We are adopting a “Blanket Consent for Treatment for Unemancipated Minor” form to ensure compliance with this law, but also gives parents the opportunity to allow their children to come in for certain health care services without them present. This proactive step can help facilitate uninterrupted care for your child. This form also needs to be completed annually.

Both forms are available at Benewah Community Hospital and St. Maries Family Medicine, as well as on our website: https://www.bchmed.org/st-maries-family-medicine-clinic/. Written consent can be submitted during your child’s appointment check-in or in advance.

Only in extreme situations when giving written consent will not be possible in time to provide needed care, the health care provider can accept and document a verbal consent from the parent.

Saturday, June 8, 2024, 9:00am – 12:00pm, St. Maries High School Track

BetterCARE memorial walk has been a tradition of BetterCARE over the years. The purpose of the walk is to raise funds to support BetterCARE while being able to remember those nearest to us. With the return of BetterCARE, comes the return of an old favorite; The Memorial Walk. This year’s theme will be Walking through the Decades and is sure to bring a new and exciting feel! Participants are encouraged to dress in their favorite decade attire.

You can register or donate on our Walk website:

https://runsignup.com/Race/ID/SaintMaries/BetterCAREWalk5K

When you register you will be asked who you are walking in memory of. You will have a Bib provided to you the day of the walk during check in where you can write the name of those you are walking for. Anyone who pledges or donates also gets to choose loved ones to remember. The names of all our beloved family, friends, and loved ones will be displayed through the walk and announced.

If you can’t make it to walk, you may donate directly or fundraise by registering for the walk online.

The day of the event will be a fun filled morning we will have multiple games throughout the walk which will allow winning of raffle tickets.

You may contact Erika Darst at 208-582-1775 or Tina Flesher at 509-220-5364 with any questions. You may also contact us through the memorial walk website

St. Maries Family Medicine received a grant with a plan of revamping its well child program!

The 2023/2024 Rural Health Care Access Program Grant (RHCAP) awards funding to projects that help rural communities improve access to primary care. BCH and SMFM thank the Idaho Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care, and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for this grant opportunity!

This grant was written to upgrade some pediatric items in the clinic, with an overall goal of revamping the well-child program!

• New Pediatric Scale and Treatment Table
• Spot Vision Screener (tests vision as early as 6-months old!
• New Pediatric Exam Room with Space Theme!
• Loan Repayment for new Provider, etc.

The St. Maries Rotary Club as well as Valley Vista Care Corp., also supported this project by providing funds for the purchase of books that children will receive during their well-child visits.