No. Both parents don't have to consent to medical treatment for a child. For married couples, the permission of one parent is enough for the child to receive healthcare. A divorced parent with joint or sole legal custody can also make healthcare decisions on their child's behalf. Some joint custody agreements state that both parents must consent to medical treatment. If the parents can’t agree, they must take the matter to court and have a judge decide. The judge may have them create a parenting plan to outline these essential details.