What Is “Informed Consent” and Why It Matters More Than Ever in California
By Informed Policy Advocates
“Informed consent” isn't just a medical formality — it’s a civil right. And in California, that right is being quietly eroded.
At Informed Policy Advocates (IPA), we exist to make sure Californians understand not just what’s happening in policy behind closed doors — but how it affects your personal sovereignty, your family, and your future. One of the core principles we fight for is informed consent: the right to know, the right to question, and the right to say no — without coercion, discrimination, or punishment.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Informed Consent, Really?
Informed consent is the cornerstone of ethical medical care. It means:
You are told the risks and benefits of any medical procedure or intervention.
You have the freedom to ask questions and receive honest, complete answers.
You have the right to accept or decline any treatment — voluntarily and without pressure.
Sounds simple, right? But in practice — especially in California — it's anything but.
California’s Quiet Erosion of Consent
Over the last decade, California lawmakers have stripped away the ability for parents to make informed decisions about childhood vaccinations by eliminating personal belief and religious exemptions for schoolchildren. And made it nearly impossible to obtain a medical exemption. More recently, public and private sector mandates have blurred the line between choice and compliance, often forcing individuals to choose between their health decisions and their livelihoods.
In other words, the state’s policies are dictating medical decisions for families, workers, students, and even healthcare professionals — all under the guise of “public health.” That’s not informed consent. That’s coercion.
Why It Matters Now
California is setting the precedent for the rest of the country. When policy replaces personal decision-making with one-size-fits-all mandates, it opens the door to discrimination, censorship, and abuse of power.
At IPA, we believe in restoring protections that honor medical freedom and bodily autonomy. This means:
Reinstating personal belief exemptions for school vaccine requirements
Protecting employees and students from retaliation or exclusion based on their private health choices
Ensuring transparency in public health policies and pharmaceutical liability
Guaranteeing the right to opt out of any medical intervention without losing access to education, work, or public services
This isn’t a fringe idea. It’s what modern civil rights look like.
Who Does This Impact?
Parents who want to make the best decisions for their children — without being forced out of public education.
Educators and healthcare workers whose careers are on the line over personal health decisions.
Minority communities that have historically been subjected to unethical medical experiments and deserve a system built on consent, not compliance.
Anyone who believes privacy and personal agency should not be negotiable.
Our Stand: Consent Without Coercion
At IPA, we’re building a statewide coalition to educate the public, pressure lawmakers, and demand accountability. Our mission is to codify protections that ensure informed consent is the standard — not the exception — in California law.
We’re not here to tell people what decisions to make. We’re here to fight for their right to make them freely.
What You Can Do
Speak Up: Share this blog. Talk to your friends. Ask your representatives where they stand on informed consent.
Join the Movement: Sign up for updates from IPA and stay informed about legislation, action alerts, and advocacy opportunities.
Support the Fight: We’re raising funds to put pressure where it counts — inside the Capitol. Your donation fuels lobbying, public education, and civil rights protections.
Informed Policy Advocates is a nonpartisan organization fighting for medical freedom, consumer protection, and civil rights in California. We don’t just inform — we activate.
Because your body, your child, your choices — aren’t up for negotiation.
Join the Movement. Protect Your Rights.
Find Us Online and Subscribe:
www.informedpolicyadvocates.org
Contact Us: info@informedpolicyadvocates.org
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