Introduction: When a Bathroom Isn’t Just a Convenience, But a Lifeline
Imagine being out in public—maybe on a walk, shopping, or picking up your kids—and suddenly experiencing an overwhelming and urgent need to use a restroom. Now imagine being told you can’t use the facility unless you make a purchase, or worse, being denied access altogether.
For most people, an inconvenient bathroom emergency is just that—an inconvenience. But for the millions of Americans suffering from debilitating digestive diseases like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or short bowel syndrome, these emergencies are daily, unpredictable, and potentially humiliating events. This isn’t about comfort. It’s about survival with dignity.
It’s time we advocate for a National Restroom Access Card—a medical ID that allows individuals with qualifying gastrointestinal conditions to use any publicly available restroom, including those in private businesses like Starbucks, Target, or McDonald’s, without being required to make a purchase.
This isn’t just a health issue. It’s a human rights issue.
The Reality of Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
More than 3 million Americans suffer from IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These diseases are not only chronic—they are often invisible. On the outside, patients may appear healthy. On the inside, they may be dealing with cramping, nausea, inflammation, and sudden urgency for a bowel movement that can strike without warning.
Symptoms of IBD include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Bloody or urgent diarrhea
- Incontinence
- Fatigue
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Joint pain and skin disorders
The need to access a restroom is often immediate, unpredictable, and non-negotiable. Yet these individuals frequently face the embarrassment of being turned away from bathrooms in gas stations, restaurants, and cafes that limit access to paying customers.
This outdated model of gatekeeping restrooms ignores medical realities. It’s time to modernize policy to meet public health needs.
What Is a National Restroom Access Card?
A Restroom Access Card would be a federally recognized medical identification card issued to people diagnosed with qualifying gastrointestinal illnesses. This card would legally compel businesses that offer restrooms to the public to allow cardholders access, regardless of whether they make a purchase.
The Card Would:
- Be physician-certified and HIPAA-compliant
- Include a photo and patient ID number
- Be scannable to verify authenticity
- Be protected under federal disability law
It’s a low-cost, high-impact initiative that gives people dignity, independence, and peace of mind when venturing out into the world.
The Inspiration: Ally’s Law and Existing State Legislation
Several states have already taken a step in the right direction through what’s known as “Ally’s Law” or Restroom Access Acts. Named after Ally Bain, a teenager with Crohn’s disease who was denied bathroom access at a retail store in Illinois (and had an accident as a result), these laws require retail businesses to allow restroom access to people with medical conditions.
As of 2024, at least 17 states have passed some version of Ally’s Law, including:
- Illinois
- Texas
- New York
- Colorado
- Minnesota
But here’s the problem: These laws are patchwork. They differ by state, are inconsistently enforced, and don’t cover all businesses. Tourists, interstate travelers, and people in non-compliant states are out of luck.
What’s needed now is federal action—a unified national standard.
Starbucks, Target, McDonald’s, and the Private Business Dilemma
Private businesses often limit restroom access to paying customers to prevent misuse or to maintain safety. While those concerns are understandable, there’s a profound ethical difference between someone loitering and someone urgently needing a restroom due to a medical condition.
A National Restroom Access Card solves both problems:
- It empowers employees to distinguish genuine medical needs from abuse
- It standardizes policy across business chains
- It reduces awkward confrontations at the register
- It supports inclusivity, compassion, and health access
Let’s face it—businesses like Starbucks have bathrooms. Denying access to someone with IBD because they haven’t bought a coffee isn’t policy. It’s cruelty.
Legal Grounds: ADA and the Case for Inclusion
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates accommodations for individuals with disabilities. While digestive diseases can be debilitating, they are not always recognized as such in daily practices like bathroom access.
A National Restroom Access Card would effectively extend ADA protections into a more tangible, real-world application.
This isn’t a special privilege—it’s a reasonable accommodation for a legitimate medical necessity.
A Public Health Issue, Not Just a Personal One
Refusing bathroom access can have serious health consequences:
- Fecal incontinence due to delay
- Colon inflammation from resisting the urge to go
- Urinary tract infections (for those forced to hold both functions)
- Dehydration (as sufferers avoid drinking to prevent the need)
What’s more, it contributes to the social isolation of people with IBD. They may stop going out, attending social events, or traveling because they can’t rely on having access to a bathroom.
This is no way for anyone to live—especially when the solution is so simple.
The Economic Case for Compassion
There’s an economic argument, too. People with gastrointestinal illnesses often avoid spending money in public because they fear being without access to a restroom. A National Restroom Access Card:
- Encourages more confident participation in public life
- Supports commerce by making outings less stressful
- Reduces health complications and emergency visits due to avoidance behavior
Businesses should welcome such a card. It helps them distinguish between casual guests and those with medical urgency, reducing liability and improving public image.
Imagine the goodwill from a company like Starbucks actively promoting restroom access for IBD sufferers. That’s brand loyalty money can’t buy.
Technology Integration: Making the System Work
In today’s digital world, the card could easily be integrated into a mobile app or stored in a digital wallet, like Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
- QR code verification
- Optional GPS restroom finder
- Integration with health insurance or HSA records
This isn’t just a card—it’s a system of dignity backed by modern technology and policy.
Who Would Qualify?
The card would be available (with doctor’s certification) to those with conditions including but not limited to:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Short bowel syndrome
- Chronic incontinence
- Diverticulitis
- Colorectal cancer (post-surgery recovery)
- Celiac disease with GI complications
Review would be simple, respectful, and HIPAA-compliant. Most people don’t want to use this card unless they absolutely need to.
Critics May Ask: What About Abuse?
Some might worry about fraudulent use, but the evidence from states with restroom access laws shows very little abuse. People don’t line up to fake chronic diarrhea.
Besides:
- Cards would be physician-verified
- Tampering would be a crime
- Employees would be trained on usage, just like with ADA accommodations
Let’s stop treating the exception like the rule and start treating real suffering with real solutions.
Let’s Hear from the People Who Live It Every Day
“I plan every outing around bathrooms. I’ve turned down vacations and skipped family events. It’s no way to live.” – Maya S., Crohn’s patient
“When I was denied access at a gas station, I cried in my car for 15 minutes. I was ashamed for something I can’t control.” – David T., ulcerative colitis patient
“Just having the card in my pocket would make me feel like I could leave the house again.” – Ellen W., IBS sufferer
A Humane Step Forward
We don’t hesitate to provide ramps for wheelchairs, braille for the blind, or reserved parking for those with disabilities. A Restroom Access Card is in the same spirit: a simple, low-cost, humane solution that helps our fellow citizens live with dignity.
The fact that someone with a debilitating digestive illness must beg for access to a basic human need is not just wrong—it’s shameful. We can fix that. We must fix that.
Call to Action: What You Can Do Right Now
- Contact your Congressperson
Demand legislation that supports a federal Restroom Access Card. Mention Ally’s Law and ask why it’s not federal yet. - Raise Awareness
Share this article. Talk about it. Normalize the conversation around IBD. - Support Organizations Like the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
They’re on the front lines of advocacy, education, and patient support. - Push Businesses to Adopt Restroom Compassion Policies
A letter or social media message to Starbucks or Target can make a big impact.
Conclusion: Let’s Open the Door—Literally and Figuratively
The bathroom should not be a battleground. Yet for millions of Americans, it is. It’s a place of panic, embarrassment, and rejection. A National Restroom Access Card can change that.
Let’s be a country that puts people before policy. Compassion before commerce. Health before hesitation.
It’s time to open the door—because no one should suffer in silence for needing to go.
About the Author
Mister San-Marcos is a resident of the great state of Texas and considers himself a strategic thinker on all topics. Politically, you’ll find him to be more right-leaning, but not too far. He has lived a wonderful life and a successful career and is now focusing his time on sharing his thoughts and recommendations to the world.
