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Obama administration pulling 'conscience' protections for health workers

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gave notice to the White House Office of Management and Budget Friday that it was preparing to rescind a Bush administration regulation protecting healthcare workers who refuse to fulfill medical services that violate their moral principles. The regulation, which was entered into the Federal Register on December 19, 2008, came into effect on January 20, just before the change in administration, and expressly limited potential actions brought by recipients of federal funding. Supporters of the regulation include the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Health Association, which believe that it protects the consciences of some health practitioners. Opponents of the regulation include theAmerican Medical Association and Planned Parenthood, which believe it rewards those who deny women some types of medical services, including abortions. The official announcement of intent by the Obama administration is expected next week. Obama repealed an international abortion funding restriction in January, which refused federal funding to all international family planning organizations that provided information or counseling about abortions. In December, 13 state attorney generals protested the provisions of a similar proposed rule that would limit women's access to abortion based on the religious beliefs of their medical providers.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 27, 2009 (boomark / email).