This past week, Pres. Obama’s administration published its official request to rescind the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulation that clarifies that health care professionals have a right to conscience and should not be forced to participate in aborting a baby, or other medical services, that offend their moral convictions.
This is of great concern for Christians across the country. Not only because of the reversal of the ‘rights of conscience’ clause, but because Obama has chosen Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services. She is a high profile supporter of abortion and has strong ties to pro-abortion organizations.
"President Obama is working to deprive the country of medical professionals who use their consciences when treating their patients," said Heartbeat International President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. "Women, babies, and families deserve conscientious health care by doctors who believe in the sanctity of human life. It is wrong for the U.S. government to condemn doctors who follow the Hippocratic principle of 'do no harm'. This is un-American."
But, the reversal of this ‘right of conscience’ directive could cause conscientious doctors to stop practicing medicine leaving a significant void in the availability of health care providers. Additionally, the problem will be compounded if the government attempts to force hospitals to offer abortion. Some (or perhaps many) hospitals with Christian ties may close because of the reversal of the ‘rights of conscience’ protection for Doctors and other medical personnel who work in those hospitals.
HHS accepts public comment for 30 days. Please send an email to proposedrescission@hhs.gov indicating that the December 19, 2008 regulation (73 FR 78072, 45 CFR Part 88) should not be rescinded.
Next week it is expected that Obama will reverse the Bush administration directive about Embryonic Stem Cell research. Embryonic Stem Cell research has yet to produce its first success while “Adult Stem Cell” research has produced several successes without the destruction of Embryo’s. This too is another move that is of great concern for Pro-Life advocates everywhere.
Here is another article that may interest you.
Freedom of Choice Act threatens viability of Catholic hospitals
Comments
Wait just a minute!
Rescinding the "rights of conscience" clause WILL NOT (I repeat) WILL NOT force doctors to perform abortions!
Doctors already had that right BEFORE this clause, and will retain that right AFTER it is rescinded!
What the "clause" does is create a shield for Christian doctors who want to prescribe treatment to patients based on their religious faith, and not on the best medicine available, which is itself unconscionable!
4 out of 5 doctors recommend: This SHOULD be rescinded!
RE: Dr. Bert Russell;
First, I'll say "prove it".
Next I'll say I vehemently disagree with you.
Why were three Pharmacists fired two years ago in Illinois for refusing to dispense the "morning after pill". Where was their protection? That is what this is all about, NOT just doctors!
Examiner:
An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal of an embryo. A fertilized zygote which has not become implanted is not yet an embryo. The morning after pill may remove a zygote, but will NOT work if you have already become pregnant. Thus it is not an abortion.
If you define "abortion" differently from this based on your personal religious preference, I am sorry. There are also some religions that believe emergency blood transfusions and antibiotics are equally immoral (and some who would refuse to treat homosexuals!), based not on reason, but on religious dogma.
To these people I recommend not pursuing a career as a preacher or pastor, not in a scientific field which goes against your personal religious beliefs
... and NOT trying to impose those beliefs on others.
RE: Dr. Bert Russell;
If you are a real Dr., I take offense at your "Dr. Phil" style of counseling which should make everything better by denying God's directives.
I fully understand what an abortion is. However, you danced around the question of the Pharmacists "right of conscience" in Illinois like a true professional.
You said 'doctors' already have these protections.
But what about other health care workers? Nurses, technicians, pharmacists and others?
The incident in Ill. happened before the Bush addition to the rule! Removal will just push it back to what it was.
By the way. I consider abortion to be murder! It is nothing more than an immoral physical attack on a defenseless unborn child and the woman who is uninformed about what she is about to do.
If someone over the age of 16 looks at a 4D Sonogram and claims that the 'baby' in a mother's womb is not a human life; they are just a person in denial!
No need to be "sorry" Dr. as one day all will answer for their sins, including me.
The way you twist words and meanings is just astounding.
"This is of great concern for Christians across the country." -- More precisely, it is of great concern to a tiny minority of Christians across the country; the rest don't care, as Obama's approval ratings clearly show.
"President Obama is working to deprive the country of medical professionals who use their consciences when treating their patients," -- No, he is not in any way. He is simply going back to the old rules, the rules under which medical professionals operated pre-Bush. Furthermore, the quote falsely suggests that only anti-abortion doctors have a conscience, which is outrageous.
"But what about other health care workers? Nurses, technicians, pharmacists and others?"
Why should they get such protection? In fact, why should even doctors get such protection? These people knew what would be asked of them when they chose their profession.
As a patient, I have a right not to have to risk being exposed to the arbitrary and capricious decisions of religious extremists.
RE: MIKE;
Mike, you are a Liberal Extremist. You fit right in with John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Dick Durban,........oops, I didn't mean to flatter you!
How is it in your mind that a person who 'values' life (a doctor, pharmacist, or technician) whether they are Christian or not should be forced to KILL BABIES?
Explain that! And don't give me that liberal drivel 'that they should take up a different profession', that's just plain dumb talk.
"should be forced to KILL BABIES"
You're funny.
Jake: I linked your article here with one I am publishing tonight about FOCA. God bless
Pamela Luther
Chicago Roman Catholic Examiner
examiner.com/chicago
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