US Regulation Would Prevent Doctors’ Personal Beliefs from Being Violated
By Rebecca Brody
20:47, August 24th 2008
43 votes
Vote this story
US Regulation Would Prevent Doctors’ Personal Beliefs from Being Violated

The Bush administration proposed on Thursday a much controversial regulation that would protect health professionals who object to abortion from being constrained to provide such services, which could violate their religious and moral beliefs.

The regulation, which would cost over $44 million to go into effect, would request federal funding from employers or institutions that dismiss healthcare workers who refuse to participate in abortions or provide abortion information.

"People should not be forced to say or do things they believe are morally wrong," Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt explained. "Health-care workers should not be forced to provide services that violate their own conscience,” he added.

However, the regulation does not classify anymore several types of contraception as abortion, following complaints by family planning groups in what concerns a previous draft, which would have defined abortion to include birth control pills and the intrauterine device.

Both enthusiasts and critics of the move said that the language remained sufficiently broad to affect contraceptives, in addition to many other fields in medicine.

The regulation, which would be implemented after a 30-day comment period, is considered by conservative groups, anti-abortion advocate groups and others essential so as to protect health workers from being fired or penalized in any way. On the other hand, opponent activists said the regulation could generate far-reaching difficulties regarding numerous health services.

"The Bush administration's proposed regulation poses a serious threat to women's health care by limiting the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate health information and services," said Cecile Richards of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, according to The Washington Post.

Mike Leavitt explained the new regulation was proposed following distressing reports which showed that health professionals were being forced to perform services they considered revolting.




© 2007 - 2008 - eFluxMedia
dotclear

Other News in

Ginkgo Biloba No Good for Alzheimer’s Prevention

Ginkgo Biloba No Good for Alzheimer’s Prevention

Ginkgo biloba has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it is one of the top selling herbs in the United States. It is not clear how many people take the drug, but its sales exceeded...

Nestle Recalls Lean Cuisine Meals

Nestle Recalls Lean Cuisine Meals

Some types of Lean Cuisine meals may contain "foreign materials" that could lead to death, the Agriculture Department announced. There have been reported chunks of blue plastic found in...

Exercise May Diminish Cancer Risk

Exercise May Diminish Cancer Risk

Regular exercise can help sufferers in the fight against cancer, according to new research. Researchers believe that exercise equivalent to a 30-minute walk five times a week can help prevent cancer,...

Watch Out For Your Lean Cuisine

Watch Out For Your Lean Cuisine

Nestlé Prepared Foods Company in Springville, Utah has to recall approximately 879,565 pounds of frozen chicken meals that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food...

Family History Weighs Heavier Than Breast Cancer Gene Test

Family History Weighs Heavier Than Breast Cancer Gene Test

A study conducted by University of Toronto cancer specialist Dr. Steven Narod has recently revealed that women with a family history of breast cancer faced high risk of developing the...

dotclear
Latest videos in Health
High Heels: Upward Trend...
AIDS cure hope after German...
Dangers Of Childhood Obesity
China smoking costs mount
Supreme Courts Hears Amputee,...

dotclear
Health You are here: Health
» Science   » Health   
E-mail To A Friend Print RSS Text size: Decrease font size Increase font size
dotclear
dotclear
dotclear
Most Popular in Health
Vitamin C, E Supplements Fail To Reduce Cancer RiskVitamin C, E Supplements Fail To Reduce Cancer Risk

» read full story
dotclear

Interested In This Topic?

News Alert will keep you informed. Find out more.
dotclear
Photos Gallery
dotclear
Today's Latest News
Ginkgo Biloba No Good for Alzheimer’s PreventionGinkgo Biloba No Good for Alzheimer’s Prevention

» read full story
dotclear