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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> April 23, 2025 <br /> which Dr. Nickelson said as of yet no other states other have pulled fluoride from the water, but <br /> several localities have. Dr. Baldwin said that he recently reviewed the paper that is causing fear <br /> around fluoride and said that the lowest level of fluoride that potentially produces adverse <br /> effects is about ten times higher than the levels of fluoride used by OWASA. He shared that he <br /> hopes that this fact will help circumvent fears about fluoride in the water supply in Orange <br /> County. Ms. Stewart agreed and said that since the BOH and OWASA have previously done a <br /> deep dive into fluoride, she hopes it will not be withdrawn from the water here. <br /> Dr. Alison Stuebe <br /> Dr. Stuebe shared that a committee in the general assembly is working on NC House Bill <br /> 519, the Parents Medical Bill of Rights, which would restrict the healthcare available to minors, <br /> allowing no healthcare other than prenatal care without parental consent. She expressed deep <br /> concern about the potential ramifications of this bill for public health, as it would prohibit <br /> provision of contraceptive, behavioral health, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment <br /> without parental consent. She shared that there will be a hearing on Tuesday April 29tn <br /> regarding this new bill. In response to Dr. Royce's question, Erica Pettigrew, Medical Director, <br /> explained that currently a healthcare provider is permitted to assess a young person's medical <br /> decision-making capacity and may provide care if the young person indicates that they are able <br /> to understand and make decisions about their care. She added that teens are currently treated <br /> at the Orange County Health Department every day for things like STI care and tobacco <br /> cessation, and while they are always encouraged to talk to their parents, it's not a requirement. <br /> Dr. Stuebe noted that this bill would also give parents unfettered access to all their children's <br /> medical records until the age of eighteen; currently, medical records involving some sensitive <br /> care (e.g., reproductive care, mental health and substance use care) are confidential and <br /> require the child's written consent before they can be accessed by parents. <br /> Dr. Stuebe requested that the board schedule time during the meeting to discuss this new bill <br /> and a potential response to it, such as a resolution or letter of opposition. <br /> Dr. Jonnal arrived during this time. <br /> Dr. Aparna Jonnal <br /> Dr. Jonnal thanked Ms. Stewart for recommending her to speak at a recent meeting of the <br /> North Carolina Medical Society. She shared that at the event, she spoke to future healthcare <br /> workers about leadership in healthcare, and that she underscored how the US healthcare <br /> system is broken, for-profit, and not working. She said that most healthcare providers are burnt <br /> out, people are dying, and insurance companies are running things. She encouraged future <br /> healthcare providers to speak the truth about the system throughout their career and to become <br /> activists. In response to Dr. Royce, Dr. Jonnal said that the reception to her speech was positive <br /> overall, especially from the younger providers. <br /> Ms. Stewart added that the feedback she received was that Dr. Jonnal was very relatable and <br /> personable. Mr. Whitaker commented that speaking to future healthcare providers about <br /> changing the system could be a new form of activism for Dr. Jonnal. <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ <br /> April Page 2 <br />