Latest news with #Schepisi
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hospital questionnaire sparks outrage over newborn sexual orientation question
New parents in New Jersey are receiving shocking documents from a health network — and it is not the hospital bill. A form from Inspira Health went viral as it asks parents about their newborn's sexual orientation and gender identity. Now, Republican New Jersey State Sen. Holly Schepisi is introducing legislation to exempt minors from these types of questions. Schepisi — also a mother of two — told Fox News Digital that when she first saw the form being circulated on social media, she was "skeptical" because of the "outrageous" and "nonsensical" nature of the forms. However, her staff were able to confirm that the questionnaire was indeed real and was being distributed to new parents. Nyc Parents Outraged After Teacher Reads Gender Identity Book To Preschool Class Inspira Health's forms are meant to comply with a New Jersey law that requires the collection of data on patients' race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, according to Schepisi. Read On The Fox News App "The health network, in fairness to them, it was like 'We don't necessarily want to be providing these out. And we have received some pushback and backlash from patients.' But under the new law that was implemented in New Jersey in late June of 2022, the health network had a real belief that in order to be compliant with the law DOH [regulations], that they had to be all encompassing and include this, including for newborn patients," Schepisi told Fox News Digital. The law requires the collection be done "in a culturally competent and sensitive manner," which Schepisi said was "subjective." Hiding Kids' 'Gender Identity' From Parents Is Common In Blue State Fighting Trump On Trans Issues: Watchdog Schepisi thinks she will be able to get bipartisan support for her legislation that would create an exemption for minors in the state's medical records law. "Apparently, as drafted, as guidance was being provided, the interpretation by a lot of people, was that this data must be collected from all demographics without regard to age," Schepisi told Fox News Digital. This seems to be the case, as Inspira Health told Fox News Digital that the questionnaire is "required by New Jersey law and the State of New Jersey Department of Health." Inspira Health also said that parents are allowed to decline to provide this information. "Per recent guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health stating that health systems can collect that data in a clinically appropriate and culturally competent manner, Inspira Health will request this information from adults. This update in protocol remains compliant with the law, and we respect patients' right to decline to respond," Inspira Health said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Some healthcare workers are also finding the form to be preposterous, according to Schepisi, who said Assemblyman John Azzariti, a medical doctor, called it "absurd." Azzariti is sponsoring Schepisi's legislation in the Assembly. Schepisi also said the form was "not fair" to workers engaging with patients who are unhappy about the bizarre questionnaire. The state senator said she has spoken to some Democratic state legislators who were stunned to hear about the forms' existence. "I did have quite a few conversations over the past week bringing this issue to some of my Democratic colleagues' attention, and, you know, their response was pretty much the same as a lot of people out in the public, like, 'We're doing what?'" Schepisi pointed the finger at New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, saying that initiatives such as the collection of this data for medical records "stemmed directly from the governor's office." She also pointed out that the law went from introduction to the governor's desk in a week and a half, which she said is "unheard of." In response to a request for comment, the New Jersey Department of Health told Fox News Digital that "the Department stresses that any collection of SOGI data should be done in a clinically appropriate and culturally competent manner, including patient populations for which certain data may not be appropriate, as in the case for newborns. We also recommend that hospitals develop internal policies and procedures based on clinical advice to assist their employees in collecting such data."Original article source: Hospital questionnaire sparks outrage over newborn sexual orientation question
Fox News
19-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Hospital questionnaire sparks outrage over newborn sexual orientation question
New parents in New Jersey are receiving shocking documents from a health network — and it's not the hospital bill. A form from Inspira Health went viral as it asks parents about their newborn's sexual orientation and gender identity. Now, New Jersey State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-District 39), is introducing legislation to exempt minors from these types of questions. Schepisi — also a mother of two — told Fox News Digital that when she first saw the form being circulated on social media, she was "skeptical" because of the "outrageous" and "nonsensical" nature of the forms. However, her staff were able to confirm that the questionnaire was indeed real and was being distributed to new parents. Inspira Health's forms are meant to comply with a New Jersey law that requires the collection of data on patients' race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, according to Schepisi. "The health network, in fairness to them, it was like 'We don't necessarily want to be providing these out. And we have received some pushback and backlash from patients.' But under the new law that was implemented in New Jersey in late June of 2022, the health network had a real belief that in order to be compliant with the law DOH [regulations], that they had to be all encompassing and include this, including for newborn patients," Schepisi told Fox News Digital. The law requires the collection be done "in a culturally competent and sensitive manner," which Schepisi said was "subjective." Schepisi thinks she will be able to get bipartisan support for her legislation that would create an exemption for minors in the state's medical records law. "Apparently, as drafted, as guidance was being provided, the interpretation by a lot of people, was that this data must be collected from all demographics without regard to age," Schepisi told Fox News Digital. This seems to be the case, as Inspira Health told Fox News Digital that the questionnaire is "required by New Jersey law and the State of New Jersey Department of Health." Inspira Health also said that parents are allowed to decline to provide this information. "Per recent guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health stating that health systems can collect that data in a clinically appropriate and culturally competent manner, Inspira Health will request this information from adults. This update in protocol remains compliant with the law, and we respect patients' right to decline to respond," Inspira Health said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Some healthcare workers are also finding the form to be preposterous, according to Schepisi, who said Assemblyman John Azzariti, a medical doctor, called it "absurd." Azzariti is sponsoring Schepisi's legislation in the Assembly. Schepisi also said the form was "not fair" to workers engaging with patients who are unhappy about the bizarre questionnaire. The state senator says she has spoken to some Democratic state legislators who were stunned to hear about the forms' existence. "I did have quite a few conversations over the past week bringing this issue to some of my Democratic colleagues' attention, and, you know, their response was pretty much the same as a lot of people out in the public, like, 'We're doing what?'" Schepisi pointed the finger at New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, saying that initiatives such as the collection of this data for medical records "stemmed directly from the governor's office." She also pointed out that the law went from introduction to the governor's desk in a week and a half, which she said is "unheard of." In response to a request for comment, the New Jersey Department of Health told Fox News Digital that "the Department stresses that any collection of SOGI data should be done in a clinically appropriate and culturally competent manner, including patient populations for which certain data may not be appropriate, as in the case for newborns. We also recommend that hospitals develop internal policies and procedures based on clinical advice to assist their employees in collecting such data."
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NJ hospitals ask parents to ‘identify' pronouns and sexual orientations of newborn babies
As if coming up with a great baby name wasn't hard enough. Newborns can't even control their own movements, but that isn't stopping New Jersey hospitals from asking parents for their baby's preferred pronouns and sexual orientation. Inspira Health's 'Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questionnaire' requires new parents to 'identify' their babies as either 'Male, Female, Transgender, Gender Queer,' or 'Additional gender category.' It further asks parents to select the word that best describes their infant: 'Lesbian or gay, Straight or heterosexual, Self-described, Questioning/Unsure.' The healthcare system — which operates four hospitals, two cancer centers, and eight health centers throughout South Jersey — created the form last year to comply with a newly-enacted Garden State law that required health care providers 'to collect race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity in a culturally competent and sensitive manner.' But many, from parents to politicians, think the newborn survey is absurd. 'That form is completely crazy, and anyone who would dictate a baby's sexual orientation probably has an agenda,' said Sandy Anello, 34, a mom of two living in Bridgewater, NJ. 'If I was told to fill this out, I'd rip it up in front of them. It feels like we've entered 'The Twilight Zone.'' 'Identifying my baby as gay on Day 1 is insane,' offered Jersey City mom-to-be Carsen Rodgers, who is due in April. 'I had no idea about this form and I'm shocked.' New Jersey State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) told The Post, 'The entire thing lacks such common sense, and serves no purpose whatsoever. 'As a mom myself, I know you're exhausted after giving birth, you've got a crying newborn and you're trying to figure out how to feed it. To be handed that sort of form in the midst of all that has no medical value, it makes no sense.' Schepisi shared a photo of the form on Facebook, sparking disbelief, with many commenters questioning the picture's authenticity. The lawmaker said she will introduce a bill next week to revise the New Jersey mandate's language, limiting the collection of such data to patients 16 and older. Schepisi said the state measure was a last-minute addition to a package of bills approved by Trenton on June 30, 2022. 'What was the genesis of this bill?' Schepisi wondered aloud. 'How did it move so quickly with barely any committee hearings on it?' Schepisi suspects someone is buying the demographic data from the state and 'using it for some sort of purpose.' Democratic New Jersey State Sens. Joseph Cryan and Angela McKnight introduced the bill on June 23, 2022. They refused to comment. Democrat Herbert Conaway, a former assemblyman who was elected to the House of Representatives last year, also worked on the bill. 'The bill was modeled after an Indiana statute and is designed to provide public health officials with the data they need to develop public health measures that effectively serve all New Jerseyans,' Conaway said in a statement to The Post. 'Good policy depends on the availability of complete and accurate data. Under the law, hospitals are required to collect and report demographic data on the patients they serve; however, no patient or parent is obligated to answer any question that makes them uncomfortable. 'Newborns are not subjected to this data collection because parents are not required to fill out the form. Many health decisions for newborns are left to the parents' discretion.' Representatives for NYC hospitals said they do not collect such data. An Inspira Health representative said the questionnaire is 'required by New Jersey law' and noted parents 'are permitted to decline to provide this information.' Inspira had sought a waiver from the state but that hasn't yet been granted.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate approves bill to revamp design of primary ballots
The bill would eliminate the long-controversial county line, which critics say gives party-backed candidates an insurmountable advantage. (Daniella Heminghaus for New Jersey Monitor) New Jersey is one step closer to new primary ballots. The Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would require New Jersey to organize candidates on the ballot by the office they're seeking instead of grouping together those who have the backing of county party officials. The change would eliminate the long-controversial county line, which critics say gives party-backed candidates an insurmountable advantage. The bill advanced 35-2, with Sens. Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) and Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) opposing the measure. The amended bill still has to go back to the Assembly for approval before heading to the governor's desk for a signature or veto. Yael Niv is president of the Good Government Coalition of New Jersey. Niv said her group is 'deeply disappointed' in the Senate's overwhelming approval of the measure, which she called a 'bad bill that tries to keep as skewed a process as possible within court orders.' 'When democratic processes are under attack by the federal government, New Jersey can and should do better,' she said. Schepisi switched her vote from yes to no seconds before the vote was tallied, a decision she made after seeing Mukherji's vote, she said. Schepisi said there was a 'gentlemanly agreement' that everyone would unanimously vote to support the bill because 'we have to do something pursuant to the court's decision.' Schepisi was referring to a March 2024 federal judge's decision that said ballots with the county line are likely unconstitutional. 'When I saw that agreement not upheld, I had indicated to my own caucus that if anybody else kind of peeled off, I was going to vote the way I wanted to,' she said, without explaining her issues with the bill. Mukherji did not respond to requests for comment. Progressive activists have for years targeted the county line, which took party-backed candidates in primaries and grouped them in one column or row. Critic say the new ballot design envisioned by the bill could still give some candidates unfair advantages. The legislation would allow candidates running as a group to have their ballot positions selected after a single draw instead of multiple draws for individual candidates. Other provisions would label candidates based on where they fall on the ballot — like 1A if they're named first — which critics say serves no purpose. The bill would allow the New Jersey secretary of state to prohibit candidates from using similar slogans, though the bill doesn't say how officials would determine when two slogans are too similar to use. Changes to the state's primary ballots come about three months before the June 10 Democratic and Republican primaries, when both parties' gubernatorial hopefuls and all 80 Assembly races will be on the ballot. The Senate also unanimously advanced a bill to allow New Jersey municipalities and counties to print legal notices in digital newspapers through June 30 as the circulation of daily newspapers dwindles. State law requires towns to publish public and legal notices in newspapers, a requirement that critics say has become antiquated as published newspapers have seen their circulations drop. The push to end the requirement began again in earnest after the Star-Ledger, the state's largest daily news outlet, announced it would cease publishing its print edition, leaving many towns without a newspaper to publish these notices. The measure would also require media outlets that publish those notices to share data on subscribers, page views, and sales with state officials. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a similar bill in December that allowed local governments to print legal notices digitally until March 1. The bill approved Tuesday would give the Legislature another four months to come up with a more permanent solution. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
