Unsurprisingly, the Bush administration announced yesterday new protections for health care workers who go up against abortion and other such medical procedures.

“Doctors and other health care providers should not be forced to choose between good professional standing and violating their conscience,” said Michael O. Leavitt, the secretary of Health and Human Services.

Under the rule, which is called "an early Christmas present to pro-lifers" by the Family Research Council, all health care providers can reject getting involved in care to which they have a moral or religious objection. Taking effect mid-January, the day before President Bush will leave office, it will protect the right of health professionals to care for their patients according to their conscience.

The “conscience rule,” as it is sometimes described, refers to practices such as abortion, birth control, stem cells research, in vitro fertilization and assisted suicide. It forbids medical facilities, physicians’ offices and pharmacies to force their employees to participate in activities in contradiction of their convictions. Those violating the rule, which was published today in the Federal Register, would lose their federal funds.

The Christian Medical Association, along with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and Americans United for Life praised the right-to-refuse rule. Health care providers shouldn’t be asked to “take the very human life that they are dedicated to protecting," said Deirdre McQuade, a spokeswoman for the Catholic bishops.

However, critics believe the rule is too broad and threatens the rights of patients, as for instance, some of these would not be given complete information about their medical options.