Also called male sterilization, a vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure meant to effectively and permanently protect against pregnancy. A vasectomy takes about 30 minutes to perform. But since the Supreme Courts decision, he says, more men seem to be taking ownership of their reproductive options, as womens options become more limited. "[30], Under Georgia Code, an incompetent person may be sterilized after a petition requesting sterilization is brought by the parents or guardians, two physicians examine the patient, the hospital in which the sterilization is to be performed approves of the sterilization, and after a hearing the judge finds by clear and convincing evidence the patient is a person subject to this code. State sterilization laws are required to be in compliance with the United States Constitution. In fact, a vasectomy prevents pregnancy better than any other birth control method (aside from abstinence). It's taken a lot more thought and time and talks with my partner than maybe I initially expected, but it's all been very much worth it. Depending on how it goes, the program could be expanded to other parts of the state in the future, said Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin President and CEO Tanya Atkinson. [55], Laws considering sterilization in Missouri began by targeting criminals and slowly began to include people with any incurable disease, epilepsy, and eventually all with mental disabilities. "[47], In 1991 the Appeals Court affirmed the substituted consent standard and wrote that "the guardian's petition" to authorize an abortion for their borderline retarded daughter "should have been allowed. [12], A state plan must provide that a Medicaid agency will pay for the sterilization procedure if the individual is at least 21 years old, mentally competent, voluntarily gave informed consent to the procedure, and must be done for a purpose other than for "rendering the individual permanently incapable of reproducing. And Missouri had one of the trigger laws that went into effect, [criminalising abortion] right as it got overturned. Doctors who refuse to perform these procedures on no other legal grounds may be subject to legal action, like malpractice suits. In general, vasectomies are usually performed on people in their 20s, 30s, or beyond whove decided not to have children. This interruption occurs by removing a small section of the vas deferens. [54], As the 26th state to pass any kind of sterilization law, Mississippi began the first sterilization on an inmate. It's a legitimate reason, but one she said she wishes people didn't need to consider. The court may only approve of the petition for sterilization if it is proven with clear and convincing evidence that the "procedure is medically necessary to preserve the life or physical or mental health of the incompetent minor. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. should have made. "Many of the patients that I was seeing were people who had never been pregnant," she said. [83] The Washington Supreme Court held that the Washington Superior courts have authority under the Washington constitution to grant the sterilization; however, the mother failed to show with clear and convincing evidence the sterilization was in the best interest of the minor.
