Officials: Obama to reverse abortion policy

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials say President Barack Obama will sign an executive order Friday ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that promote or perform abortion.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorize to pre-empt Obama's announcement.

The so-called "Mexico City policy" bans U.S. taxpayer money from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibits taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hGEFeIsWrfluY5Iqqe_zaKFw9YOgD95STTN02

[nc4bo]

1. Anyone know if Obama got a chance to reverse Bush's medical right conscious rule?

That ish needs to go and the quicker the better.

[katandmoon]

2. Ditto, not to mention the ban on Federal employee health insurance abortion coverage

As a then (now retired) Federal employee I remember how ending that abortion coverage ban was one of the first EO's Clinton signed.

[BattyDem]

6. I don't think he reversed it yet ...

but didn't he put a hold on all of Bush's last minute orders?

[nc4bo]

10. Not sure if this was included or not. I think it was already put into effect

not something on verge of being in effect.

Not sure.

Ok I found this:

(had to use the "cached" google option to see it)

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:pIHOXzXGsW8J:www.lathrophealthlawyers.com/2008/12/articles/hospitals/medical-staff/hhs-issues-right-of-conscious-rule/+medical+conscious+rule+in+effect&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Original article here but came up as "403 Forbidden" for me.: http://www.lathrophealthlawyers.com/2008/12/articles/hospitals/medical-staff/hhs-issues-right-of-conscious-rule/

<snip>
On December 19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule designed to protect certain institutional health care providers and individual employees from discrimination. The rule is commonly referred to as the “right of conscious rule,” and is intended to ensure that recipients of certain HHS funds do not coerce health care personnel into participating in actions they find to be religiously or morally objectionable in the delivery of health related services. Key provisions of the rule prohibit: </snip>

<snip>
The rule takes effect 30 days from publication, and gives entities until Oct. 1, 2009, to provide written certification of their compliance. The rule, however, may be short-lived. According to the Wall Street Journal, officials close to the Obama transition have signaled that the Obama administration will issue new regulations changing this rule.</snip>

Which means that it took effect January 19th, 2009 and PO will have to issue new regs in order to roll it back.

In the meantime, I wonder how many of the "medically conscioused" have denied someone services or health care?

[Jefferson23]

3. Obama has not wasted any time turning back the Bush Regime's oppressive rule.

[teknomanzer]

5. He could develop writers cramp or worse...

maybe carpal tunnel syndrome in his effort to reverse Bush policies.

[Jefferson23]

7. lol, this is possible, but we would likely agree that Obama would never complain about that.

[Triana]

4. That's my man! n/t

[Jamastiene]

8. It sounds like he's taking names and kicking ass.

:)

[Arugula Latte]

14. That's exactly the phrase that's been popping into my mind.

LOVE.IT.

:fistbump:

[superconnected]

9. That guy started delivering as soon as he got elected!

Thank you Obama! I love you! You're my superhero!

[underpants]

11. And the Bush crowd thought THEY would "move too fast for everyone to keep up"

Pffft Obama is fixing all their screw ups in the first week.

[nini]

12. I can hardly wait to have to defend this to people

all they'll hear is 'abortion' not women's health care that includes pap smears etc, and all those things to help avoid pregnancy in the first place.

[Mad_Dem_X]

13. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT OBAMA!

Thank you, Sir, for lifting the "gag rule." :kick: