The "Conscience" Rule, announced in late december by the Department of Health and Human Services, is set to take affect in late January. The New York Times reports that: "The rule prohibits recipients of federal money from discriminating against doctors, nurses and health care aides who refuse to take part in procedures because of their convictions, and it bars hospitals, clinics, doctors’ office and pharmacies from forcing their employees to assist in programs and activities financed by the department." The new rule has serious implications for abortion, contraceptive, and other reproductive rights issues. If health care workers are allowed to let their religious ideas influence the type of medical care provided to patients, a woman's right to choose will be the first thing impacted.
Some organizations opposed to the rule include: The American Medical Association, The American Nurses Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Hospital Association, and The National Association of Chain Drugstores.
President-Elect Obama is expected to undo the "Conscience Rule", but it will take several months after he enters office.
Read the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/washington/19rule.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment