As a parent, I assumed that if one of my children were sick, I would be able to speak with the doctor, review medical records, and help manage care. Then I tried to log into my 12-year-old son’s MyChart account to view lab results and was denied access. When I contacted T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital, I was told my son would have to give permission before I could access his records because he was considered a “mature minor.”

I called back twice because I thought I had misunderstood. How could I be legally and financially responsible for his medical care, schedule appointments, and administer medications, yet be denied access to the information needed to care for him? I was told it was Tennessee law.

Troubled by that answer, I contacted Rep. Michele Reneau, even though I do not live in her district. She listened, researched the issue, and filed legislation to address it. As the bill moved through the General Assembly, it became clear that my experience was not unique. Other parents had also been denied access because of different sections of Tennessee law conflicted with one another. The final bill was narrower than originally proposed, but it passed with bipartisan support and took an important step toward ensuring parents can access critical medical information about their children.

What impressed me most was that Rep. Reneau did not dismiss my concern or tell me nothing could be done. She investigated the problem and worked to make Tennessee law better. Parents cannot fulfill their responsibility to care for their children when they are denied basic medical information. I am grateful Rep. Reneau listened to one parent, took action, and helped families across Tennessee.

That is the kind of public service we should expect from our elected officials: listening to real people and solving the real problems families face every day.

Jennifer Duvall

Sale Creek