Just Making a Change (JMAC) for Families

Healthcare providers routinely drug test pregnant people and their newborn babies without the informed consent of the parenting patient. These “test and report” practices have a disproportionate impact on low-income Black and Latinx people by restricting their access to postnatal care and increasing risk of family separation. Just Making a Change (JMAC) for Families advocates for individuals and families harmed by the child welfare system. NIRH will partner with JMAC on their Informed Consent Act. The Informed Consent Act would require healthcare providers to obtain written and verbal consent before drug testing parents and newborns as well as dictate that a drug test can only be given within the context of necessary medical care for the parent or newborn. Through this partnership, NIRH will provide strategic guidance, technical and communications assistance, and legislative and public awareness for this campaign.