Christian doctors' group protests rolling back 'conscience' rule

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/08/conscience.clause/index.html

An organization of Christian physicians argued Wednesday against an impending rollback of a federal rule allowing health care workers to refuse to provide certain reproductive services, saying it's discriminatory.

The Bush White House proposed the rule in August, and it was enacted January 20, the day President Obama took office. It expanded on a 30-year-old law establishing a "conscience clause" for health care professionals who don't want to perform abortions.

Under the rule, workers in health care settings -- from doctors to janitors -- can refuse to provide services, information or advice to patients on subjects such as contraception, family planning, blood transfusions and even vaccine counseling if they are morally against it.

The Obama administration is expected to reverse the rule shortly, touching off a new wave of heated debate over what remains one of the most sensitive and emotional hot-button issues in American politics.

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Guess I didn't realize how extremely crazy Bush's 'expansion was! It included janitors and merely information.

[derby378]

1. Patients go to the doctor for treatment, not a sermon

This will be a welcome change from the Obama administration.

[DebbieCDC]

2. They should find another line of work

Either you inform your patient of ALL options for care and treatment or preventative measures -- whether you happen to personally agree with them or not -- or get out of the medical business. Medicine is not a function of religion nor is religion a function of medicine.

[Echo In Light]

6. Fuckin A

[aquart]

3. "Christians." Right. Sure.

[laconicsax]

8. Well, of course they aren't REAL Christians.

:eyes:

[Political Tiger]

4. That's because they don't have a conscience. n/t

[SemiCharmedQuark]

5. At my public university, someone posted a big "CALL YOUR REPS TO VOTE AGSINT FOCA!"

I was going to complain about it, but by the time I got out of class, it was already pulled down.

[Ilsa]

7. Yep, patients with HIV could be preached to by staff over how sinful they are,

I bet. This is unnecessary. People who don't want to serve the public should find another line of work.