Plans for Health Clinic at Madison Elementary School in Wheeling Questioned
Joselyn King Trending
WHEELING -- Ohio County Board of Education members have concerns about a proposed partnership with WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, and whether the parents of students being treated would be notified and have access to their medical records.
Ohio County Schools and WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital announced plans earlier this month to bring a healthcare clinic to Madison Elementary School - which is already home to a dental clinic.
An introductory memorandum of understanding regarding the school clinic was circulated to Ohio County Board of Education members. It is still in the draft phase, and has been reviewed by Jacob Manning, attorney for Ohio County Schools, Superintendent Kim MIller explained.
"We are trying to put in place a clinic at Madison Elementary School where there are several children who do not have a pediatrician, with no primary care," Miller explained.
"We want those children to have the comfort and trust in place with a trusted staff, and to be able to build that relationship."
Miller added that parental consent is an important part of the plan for the clinic. Before the child could receive treatment there, parent permission would be needed, she said.
"I know that is where we had some concerns and questions," she told board members. "But again, you are trying to address a needy school and to build those healthcare relationships in a setting where children feel very comfortable."
Miller sought direction from the board during their meeting this week as to whether to continue with pursuing the opportunity with WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital.
Board member Erik Schramm said there are concerns about what the policies might be regarding the health clinic and parental consent.
"We have a dental clinic (at Madison Elementary School), so I know we have to have a policy," he said. "They give prescription meds, so I know we have to have a policy."
Schramm, also an attorney, asked that Manning review with the board what that policy is, what parental notification and consent looks like, and whether it could be more restrictive for the health care clinic.
"Maybe if we could be restrictive about who is able to get into our clinic, since it is our clinic?" he asked.
Miller added there have been scenarios where children at Madison School have needed health care and missed school. She noted that maybe if there had been a health clinic at the school where they could receive care, they might not have missed out on classroom time they lost.
Board member David Croft -- also an attorney -- noted that West Virginia law allows for minors to be treated for venereal diseases without parental consent, but doesn't define "minor." Additionally, the parent could not have access to their child's medical records unless the "minor" provides consent.
"I think these laws violate the 14th Amendment ... nonetheless, that's what we have," he said. "I cannot in good conscience do anything that violates a parent's right under the 14th Amendment. One of these to me is denying them access to the treatment of their own children.
"I think we can strike a balance because of the greater good of delivering healthcare services where they otherwise wouldn't be delivered. It's a tough balance, but I hold the Constitution sacred. I think we need to work on that.”
Croft stressed he is not opposed to the idea of the health care clinic in a school setting.
"I do not want to stand in the way of providing needed health care to communities that otherwise wouldn't get it," he said. "But then we have to respect and protect parental rights under the 14th Amendment."
Aside from the legalities, Croft said he also wants to know what costs WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital would be charging at the school clinic.
Billing for care at the clinic would be through WVU Medicine.
Molly Aderholt -- a third attorney on the board -- said she understands there are students in need of a health care provider.
"I do have concerns with having a comprehensive health care center in a school environment," she continued. "I think the school environment is a unique environment, and I don't think the Legislature ever contemplated a hospital clinic in a school setting. That has me questioning it.
"I would need to know our students wouldn't be able to seek any healthcare in our schools without their parents knowing. ... As a school system, I don't want to be in a position of keeping anything away from parents."
The students' medical records would be part of WVU Medicine's "My Chart" system, and Aderholt added that concerned her. Parents would not be able to view treatment of their children through the online records without their child's consent.
"I would want to work through that with WVU to ensure all our parents whose children might be seen at the clinic would have access to their child's health records," she said.
Aderholt does not want the parents to have to sign a blanket permission slip at the start of the year for their child using the clinic. Instead, she would like to see the parents contacted each time their child seeks care.
"They should come and be part of the examination if they so desire," she said. "Even if the parents aren't great parents, that doesn't mean they don't have rights we need to protect."
Aderholt also wants to see the costs that would be charged by WVU Medicine.
"WVU is a for-profit entity, and they would profit off this clinic through Medicaid," she continued. "I would like to see a discussion about them contributing to the cost -- rather through the build-out in some fashion, or that we build it out and they can lease the space back to us. It's a common thing to do in real estate."
Board President Andy Garber noted the only cost to Ohio County Schools for the project was making a roof repair at Madison School in the area where the clinic would be located.
He called for tabling the issue for now, and directed administrators and staff to further research questions arising about parental rights and costs.
"It is absolutely necessary for parents to be informed," added board member Pete Chacalos. "If Mr. Manning can come through with that and work through the WVU policy, and if we have a policy in place that is more restrictive -- I think it's a win-win situation as long as parents are always informed."