Scottish Rite won't see us for speech therapy

[Grace and Granola]

We don't vax our two sons. I've dealt with getting into preschool and trips to the ER, but now I was turned down on a phone call, and I'm not sure what to do. I searched the forums here for "Scottish Rite" and it seems that people are familiar with them, but I couldn't find anything about vaxes. I got through the entire phone interview with them, was setting the appointment, and the lady asked if we are current on vaxes. When I told her we don't vax, she shut down completely and said that it is the clinic's policy that they don't see kids who aren't vaxed.

I have no idea how the law applies to private clinics, any thoughts? If there's no way around it, then fine. But if I can get in there for free speech therapy with a waiver, then I'd like to try!

[SunshineJ]

I'd call the local health department and ask what the law/policy is on that and start there.

[ZoeyZoo]

I think this will probably vary a lot by state. I would also try looking up your state's statures on vaxes. I found my states though the department of health website. They listed several public and private groups that HAVE to take exemptions.

You might also want to try again and mention it's against your religion and see if that helps. A lot of place make exceptions for religious reasons.

[tessie]

Did they say why? Do they deal with a lot of special needs/medically fragile children?

[Grace and Granola]

They didn't say why, apart from, It's the clinic's policy.

I'm kind of surprised, because if you don't know, Scottish Rite is run by the freemasons. And I had no idea what that was about, so I read up on it. I honestly thought it was some sort of religious cult! But, hopefully without offending anyone, it seems like it's some sort of secret men's club, and they do require that you believe in a "supreme being," and it doesn't have to be any certain "being" in particular. So, I'm really surprised that with that being part of their culture, they do not come across people of certain religious persuasions that don't vax. The lady I spoke with did not seem to be interested in any reasoning for my decision, she basically just shut down the conversation as soon as I said it. I guess I'll have to do some research, I just hate this fight. And I never thought I would have to fight it for SPEECH! The only reason it would be worth it is because the speech therapy would be free

[alegna]

They stopped accepting any non-vax patients a few years back. It's a fairly well known problem.

-Angela

[Grace and Granola]

Good to know..thanks Angela!

[Dolphin]

Is that supposed to be the case at all Scottish Rite hospitals? We just returned from a visit in Dallas, and we don't vax and nothing was said. We were seeing the Hand Clinic...

[alegna]

I've heard it was all of them, but I have no first hand experience. Perhaps it varies by location.

-Angela