The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services today issued a regulation that gives employees in the health care field the right to refuse to involve in care they find morally objectionable.

Under the controversial 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’s term ends, the regulation will protect the right of health professionals to care for their patients according to their conscience.

The rule, which will apply to no less than 584,000 healthcare facilities, aims at practices such as abortion, birth control, stem cells research, assisted suicide and in vitro fertilization. It prohibits medical facilities, physicians’ offices and pharmacies to oblige their employees to participate in activities contrary to their beliefs. No worker in the health care industry should ever be forced by regulations to have a contribution in a procedure that infringes his convictions. “This should be an elementary right, yet there are those who want to trespass on it,” said Catholic League president Bill Donohue.

Those violating the 127-page rule, which is called "an early Christmas present to pro-lifers" by the Family Research Council, would lose their federal funds. Physicians and other health professionals “should not be forced to choose between good professional standing and violating their conscience," stated Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt.