New Rule Protects Health-Care Workers' 'Right of Conscience'

[Newsjock]

Source: Washington Post

The Bush administration today issued a sweeping new regulation that protects a broad range of health-care workers -- from doctors to janitors -- who refuse to participate in providing services that they believe violate their personal, moral or religious beliefs.

The controversial rule empowers federal health officials to cut off federal funding for any state or local government, hospital, clinic, health plan, doctor's office or other entity if it does not accommodate employees who exercise their "right of conscience." It would apply to more than 584,000 health-care facilities.

... The regulation, which was issued just in time to take effect in the 30 days before the change of administrations, was sought by conservative groups, abortion opponents and others as necessary to safeguard workers from being fired, disciplined or penalized in other ways.

... Although the Obama administration could reverse the rule, it would require a lengthy process. Last month, however, Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced a bill to repeal the regulation legislatively.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[Mugweed]

1. Since this refusal to participate may result in deaths...

am I also allowed to snap the neck of the asshole who has decided that their religious brainwashing takes precedence over helping those in need of medical assistance? IT would be my MORAL belief that a person like that should have a snapped neck.

Edit - I can't spell when I'm angry

[Christa]

2. K & R

What a contemptuous little man he is

[kenichol]

3. This is one of the most important changes 'they' are trying to make

For women and those interested in honoring our sexuality, our choices, this Bush admin 'run' around congress is criminal.

[kiranon]

4. What if workers refuse to help Republicans as a matter of conscience?

These laws are just stupid. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists and so on are there to help everyone. If we allow these laws to stand, no one is safe from another's bigotry and ignorance. Janitors? Will they refuse to clean the rooms of those having cancer treatments with stem cells? This country will be the laughing stock of the civilized world as the U.S. slips into the neo Middle Ages.

[Mugweed]

6. What if we asked all the UAW members who voted...

Republican in the last few elections to voluntarily quit and refuse any jobs program, pension, unemployemnt compensation, or anything else. They supported the assholes who sheparded the collapse of the American auto industry, so they should be the ones to voluntarily suffer...right?

Unfortunately, we who have a higher conscience can't discriminate like that. I know it will be the cause of all our ulcers and heavy drinking, but I can't reduce myself to the urge to exact revenge on the fucks who so obviously deserve it. As much as I wish it so.

[depakid]

5. I bet Rick Warren and his ilk just love this one!

Of course, if the Senate actually had a leader with a bit of political fortitude, Congress could squash this in its tracks....

[kpete]

7. Rule Protects Workers Who Deny Care That Violates Beliefs

Source: Washington Post

Rule Protects Workers Who Deny Care That Violates Beliefs
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 19, 2008; Page A10

The Bush administration yesterday granted sweeping new protections to health workers who refuse to provide care that violates their personal beliefs, setting off an intense battle over opponents' plans to try to repeal the controversial measure.

Critics began consulting with the incoming Obama administration on strategies to reverse the regulation as quickly as possible while supporters started mobilizing to fight such efforts.

The far-reaching regulation cuts off federal funding for any state or local government, hospital, health plan, clinic or other entity that does not accommodate doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other employees who refuse to participate in care they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable. It was sought by conservative groups, abortion opponents and others to safeguard workers from being fired, disciplined or penalized in other ways.

But women's health advocates, family planning proponents, abortion rights activists and some members of Congress condemned the regulation, saying it will be a major obstacle to providing many health services, including abortion, family planning, infertility treatment, and end-of-life care, as well as possibly a wide range of scientific research.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[aquart]

8. Does it protect them from being identified and listed?

Does it protect them from filling out a form declaring what they are and are not willing to do?

[mike_c]

9. but the American Taliban moves us closer to the 13th century...

...so that's all for the best, right?

[MountainLaurel]

10. Just what I need

Some talibornagain refusing to fill my prescription because I wouldn't be depressed if I prayed hard enough.

[Diana Prince]

11. What is to keep someone from saying

they don't believe in treating cancer patients, or not administrating pain medication to women giving birth, or refusing to offer treatment to people who are physically handicapped. We can't get him out of office to soon.

[ccinamon]

12. I think all female pharmacists

should refuse to dispense viagra, etc....it's only fair if others are going to refuse to dispense birth control, the "morning after" pill, etc

I can see where a pharmacist will then say they have the right NOT to dispense to someone who is an atheist or muslim because their version of christianity forbids them any contact (or some equally disgusting view)

[badgervan]

14. This is Insane

... and clearly un-Constitutional. These zealots are like cockroaches... you just can't get rid of them, and they end up spreading throughout the building/country. Hypocrites.

[my2sense]

13. I guess they'll also be allowed

to refuse treatment for minorities.....this is a slippery slope.

[Gwendolyn]

15. Not sure why I think this, and maybe I'm naive.

It's never helped the Rethugs much to actually implement any of the medieval measures proposed by the fundie right. Holding the perpetual carrot in front of their noses keeps those votes coming in. Is it possible that they've pushed this through at the last moment, knowing it would be repealed at the first opportunity anyway? After 8 years of carte blanche, seems odd to finally do something now.

Either way, it cost 44 million to make this happen?

[defendandprotect]

16. Well ..of course it makes no sense...they'll have to hire people to ..

perform the duties these people won't carry out ...!!!???