Health care providers who depend on federal aid to operate may soon be required to certify that they will not discriminate against doctors, nurses, or any other employees who object to administering birth control and abortion services. In turn, the proposed rule by the Department of Health and Human Services would allow any federal grant recipient to obstruct a woman's access to contraception. The New York Times also reports "the new requirement is needed to ensure that federal money does not support morally coercive or discriminatory practices or policies in violation of federal law."
What is the religious reasoning behind this? Some forms of contraception prevent implantation of a fertilized egg in a woman's womb. For members of the religious right, that is classified as abortion because a fertilized egg marks the beginning of "the creation life." In fact, the HHS states the following "definitions" for abortion:
What is the religious reasoning behind this? Some forms of contraception prevent implantation of a fertilized egg in a woman's womb. For members of the religious right, that is classified as abortion because a fertilized egg marks the beginning of "the creation life." In fact, the HHS states the following "definitions" for abortion:
Abortion: An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. There are two commonly held views on the question of when a pregnancy begins. Some consider a pregnancy to begin at conception (that is, the fertilization of the egg by the sperm), while others consider it to begin with implantation (when the embryo implants in the lining of the uterus). A 2001 Zogby International American Values poll revealed that 49% of Americans believe that human life begins at conception. Presumably many who hold this belief think that any action that destroys human life after conception is the termination of a pregnancy, and so would be included in their definition of the term "abortion." Those who believe pregnancy begins at implantation believe the term "abortion" only includes the destruction of a human being after it has implanted in the lining of the uterus.
The proposal by the HHS basically discredits the Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade by making the indication that what a woman does with her body is not a private matter, but rather something the government and complete strangers would have control over. Hospital pharmacists would get away with refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control, and doctors would be able to turn away rape victims who seeks emergency contraception. Remember, this is all in the name of religion. Separation of church and state is a myth, and it always has been.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 12)
1. This is terrible and sadly, not surprising. The *real* party of Big Government wants to listen to our phone calls, read our emails and of course, tell us what we can and can't do with our own bodies. Government doesn't get any bigger than that.
ihavenobias at 9:34PM on Jul 17th 2008
2. Bush is not running for President again, story is a waste. Being able to put fuel in one's car in 5 years is a present day issue. Reid, Pelosi and the Democrats have a one sided view on the energy problem, more taxes, no more drilling, no more oil, just Arab Oil. Look at what can be done in one country that does something.
Brazil did some drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, found 5-8 billion barrels of oil in just one field, and overnight transformed their country into an oil superpower. From CNN.
A huge offshore oil discovery could raise Brazil’s petroleum reserves by a whopping 40 percent and boost this country into the ranks of the world’s major exporters, officials said. [snip]
Petrobras President Sergio Gabrielli said Thursday the oil from ultradeep areas, including the Tupi field, would give Brazil the world’s eighth-largest oil and gas reserves. [snip]
Thursday’s news of the discovery rocked a country that became a net oil exporter only last year but must still import light crude oil for the refined products it needs. Brazil produces — and exports — mostly heavy crude oil, which has to be mixed with the light oil in refineries.
“If this is confirmed, we will no longer be a ‘medium’ country, pursuing self-sufficiency and exporting a little. It will transform the nation to another level, with exporting properties like Venezuela, Arab nations and others,” said Dilma Rousseff, presidential chief of staff.
For a country that went deeply into debt buying foreign oil in the 1970s and ’80s, “this has changed our reality,” she said.
Hmmm, they drilled in the Atlantic, found oil, and radically transformed their country. Sounds like a good idea. We should try that. Oh yeah, the liberals won’t allow any new drilling off California, the East Coast, or in ANWAR.
Their chief argument is that oil might spill and we’ll have Exxon Valdez all over again. To deflate that empty rhetoric, one need only note that when when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita smashed into the Gulf Coast in 2005, MSNBC reported that while more than 7 million gallons of oil were spilled from industrial plants, storage depots and other facilities around southeast Louisiana, the Coast Guard received no reports of any offshore spills. Exxon Valdez was a ship that wrecked because of a drunk captain. Oil platforms are what we are talking about and they passed their acid test in the summer of 2005.
Technology is not the problem. Oil exploration is no longer the crap shoot it once was .
A decade ago, geologists lacked the tools to glimpse beneath these salt layers [on the ocean floor], which can be more than a mile thick offshore Brazil. Today, with the help of data-crunching supercomputers, 3D imaging of ultradeep subsalt layers is illuminating billions of barrels of new oil. Geologists say the discoveries challenge one of the notions of the peak oil theory, which claims oil companies already have found nearly all of the world’s usable oil.
Sounds good, but the American left will not allow the United States to become more energy independent by opening up new drilling areas off the American coasts. So we will lose the coming energy race.
Geologist Roberto Fainstein, whose seismic imaging work at oil-field services company Schlumberger helped Brazil to discover its massive new reserves, says the subsalt find will “lead to a rush in this kind of drilling worldwide.” Brazil’s discovery may quicken subsalt drilling in the Gulf of Mexico by oil majors and Mexico’s oil company.
Energy Plan Now at 9:53PM on Jul 17th 2008
3. All this ruling basically says is the health care provider can't force the hand of the administering physician if this violates his religious beliefs.
This ruling isn't an indictment against the hospital itself, just an observance of individual beliefs.
Within that same hospital the same service would be provided by another doctor of dissimilar beliefs.
I'm sure this is given policy within any hospital system aware of religious or cultural indifferences toward certain treatments.
Another non story hyped to provoke.
Bobby at 10:19PM on Jul 17th 2008
4. AND ATHEISM IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE
http://www.evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
word.
BIG MONEY SONNY at 10:21PM on Jul 17th 2008
5. A couple of thoughts: Brazil uses little to no oil. They run on ETOH from sugar cane and export their oil.
Next, right now the oil majors are sitting on 65 million productive acres they are not drilling. This is presumably to allow prices to rise.
Next, we have no refining capacity. We couldn't process oil if we had any.
Next, the oil recovered wouldn't be on the market for about a decade and then would be sold internationally.
Oil is driven up by speculation. The enron loophole that permits it can and should be closed immediately.
Also, the last time windfall profits were taxed, the price of oil stabilized. There is no reason it would not work this time, the oil companies and the mcbush just don't want to hem in profits.
Finally, listen to T. Boone Pickens. He's as right wing as they get, a lifetime oil man and he's telling you. YOu can't drill your way out this time.
Wisely, Pickens has decided he's in the energy business, not just the oil business. When airplanes came along, railroads had the same decision - railroad business or transportation business.
I think that most people are informed on all this now, so running the same right wing give me all your money and you'll be free crap isn't really sticking to the wall anymore.
If you want a bankrupt nation and a depression, the mcbush has already shown you how they intend to bring it to you.
Clif Kuplen at 10:28PM on Jul 17th 2008
6. I don't see what's so "religious" about being opposed to the taking of innocent human life. The pro-choice position is simply nonsensical. A woman should have the right to do "what she chooses with her body" only provided that choice doesn't hurt another person (getting a tattoo: your prerogative; killing what is BIOLOGICALLY speaking a human child: um, no). That's why I think abortion should be illegal; it has nothing to do with Bible verses. I have no desire to "force my beliefs" on anyone, I just believe in human rights (and the right to not be murdered is sort of, well...basic). That said, regardless of one's viewpoint, everyone is entitled to their beliefs and shouldn't ever be forced to compromise them: if you sincerely believe birth control or emergency contraception or whatever is wrong, you should not be obligated to be a party to it; the person can always go to someone else. (For the record, I believe a pregnancy begins at implantation. Think about it: a zygote can split to form identical twins, triplets, etc. in the first two weeks after conception. If a "soul" or "person" were already present at the union of the egg and sperm...well, a soul can't "split in two," can it...?) That said, people who think morning-after pills are wrong have the right to live their lives and practice their jobs accordingly. Personal integrity is important, and such practitioners have rights too.
All right. I'm done. Go McCain.
Cecilia at 10:39PM on Jul 17th 2008
7. Doctors are licensed by the gov to perform a service. Unless they are willing to perform all lawsful acts, they should have their license revoked and find another job.
Otherwise, what happens, is that a small group gets to foist its religious beliefs on other people.
If this passes, then the Muslim taxi drives in Minn who have demanded the right to refuse to transport people carrying alcohol would be entitled to impose this belief on the traveling public. At present, if they refuse a fare, they have to go to the back of the line and wait hours for another chance to make money. But even with this penalty, it has gotten so bad than many passengers cannot find a taxi to transport them. They wanted to do away with the penalty on the basis of their religous freedom.
How about an evangelical firefighter wants the right to refuse to put out a fire at a home where "gays" live?
What if a Quaker doctor refuses to treat a soldier because Quakers are absolute pacifists?
What if a Muslim doctor refuses to treat a woman unless she is wearing a head scart?
Nope. This is a really stupid law.
cdnbirch at 10:49PM on Jul 17th 2008
8. Cenk-So I guess your are also outraged at Obama courting and bending to the Religious Left Pro-Abortion Views.
CNN News reports Obama is working to Mobilize the "Christian Left and the Religious Left". They are supportive of Abortion as is Obama a pro-abortion candidate. Obama will and has maintained a strong abortion rights position, even in support of Live Birth Abortions. Obama will maintain his position and will continue to comply with the wishes of the Religious Left.
Religious Left Pro Abortion groups that suport Obama
1-Catholics for free choice
2-Religious coalition for reproductive chice
3-Catholic worker movement
4-Christian Socialist Party
Have endorsed Obama for President and supported him in the past.
Two of Obama's prior religious mentors, Rev Wright and Father Pfleger are strong Pro Abortion and part of the Religious Left.
Seperation of Church and State?????????
Father Pfleger has allowed many pro abortion speakers to use the pulpit at his church, St.Sabina's, to speak in support of abortion. Rev Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, and in 2003 Harry Belafonte all spoke out against the pro life postion of Bush from the pulpit of St. Sabina's Church and in support of Obama and his pro-abortion position.
Obama will continue to comply to the wishes of the Religious Left in order to keep their support.
Obama did return the favor to Father Pfleger with $200,000 in grant money.
Religious Right and Religious Left have no business being active in Politics.
Cenk-how about equal moral outrage towards the Religious Left??????????
Energy Plan Now at 10:50PM on Jul 17th 2008
9. Bush Administration Continues to Comply With Religious Right. Why is Anyone Suprised?
It's spelled "surprised". Why is it that the print media - whether online or on paper - is incapable of spelling fairly basic words correctly?
Before the advent of word processors and spell checkers, you rarely saw typographical errors in books or periodicals. Now they're commonplace. If reporters and bloggers are too lazy to proofread their own work, the least they could do is spell check it. Take a little pride in your workmanship!!
Sue at 11:15PM on Jul 17th 2008
10. Within that same hospital the same service would be provided by another doctor of dissimilar beliefs.
I'm sure this is given policy within any hospital system aware of religious or cultural indifferences toward certain treatments.
xxxx
This is fertile ground for medical malpractice.
Theory of civil recovery is easy. You can't serve two masters. If your religious beliefs conflict with the interest of your client or patient or course and scope of employment and injury results, he's got a case against the doctor and the hospital who allowed the practice and they've got a problem.
One o' them... frivulus law suits, y'see? we got to stop them....frivulus lawsuits....my deaaaar frieeenddds...
you want medical insecurity, the mcbush delivers.
Clif Kuplen at 11:35PM on Jul 17th 2008
11. Before the advent of word processors and spell checkers, you rarely saw typographical errors in books or periodicals.
xxx
Setup cost more and there were proofreaders. We cut corners by having federal regulations that created a middle class. We were also #1 in the world in education, not 43. Now everything is on the max fly including time spent understanding English grammar and spelling.
most of us write in real time on blogs, sue, and often in vernacular. some are polyglot. we take it as it comes and dont sweat the typos.
Virtually every time someone rips on someone else for improper spelling or grammatical error there's a glaring glitch in the accusing post you can poke fun at.
This isn't an academic forum, and spell checkers are often wrong or just fall short anyway. They only have about 50,000 words and some of us know ten times that many or more.
But you have a point. I cringed the other day when Obama said '..for Michelle and I', and the guy is ten times as articulate as the average politico.
Worse, I saw some CNN fluffbrain 'punn-diyunt' try to make an analysis of subjunctive mode against out and out improper English as being 'present tense' and 'past tense' to make her talking point and the freakin' program director let her have a camera to do it!
I just roll my eyes, but it's right there in front of millions.
But it's pretty clear from our nosedive in global status in education since Reagan that we suck and you'll read evidence of that here time and time again. I got out of the California university system one year before Ronnie wrecked it.
Clif Kuplen at 11:50PM on Jul 17th 2008
12. They are supportive of Abortion as is Obama a pro-abortion candidate.
xx
abortion is a fundamentalist religious issue only.
The other side of the coin is that it is a civil and medical issue, and how can I put this delicately? oh, yeah...none of your god damned business! Keep it in church.
Clif Kuplen at 11:54PM on Jul 17th 2008
13. I consider myself a christian but I don't think my opinion should matter.Pro-choice or pro-life it doesn't matter. What matters is the Constitution and the laws of the land.The law says it is legal so it's legal.Remember there should be a wall between church and state.You can still believe one way but don't vote for somebody because of there stance on abortion, vote for the person that will stand-up and do things that are right for our country.Look at President Bush,he is against abortion,a self proclaimed christian but he can lie to the country-the bible also says do not lie.
topdog at 12:17AM on Jul 18th 2008
14. >>>This is fertile ground for medical malpractice>>>
If a doctor defers treatment & refers a patient to someone of equal expertise there is no medical malfeasance.
Medical Malpractice occurs when a negligent act or omission by a doctor or other medical professional results in damage or harm to a patient.
Bobby at 12:44AM on Jul 18th 2008
15. Sorry Cliff, but you can't blame America's catastrophic decline in educational standards on Reagan, Bush, neo-cons or space aliens.
You and I both know primary and secondary public school systems in this country are run by big liberals, like yourself and even bigger, tyrannical, left-wing teachers unions, like the NEA, who are opposed to school choice and every other form of educational competition which might disrupt their cozy little educational monopoly.
Nice try, big guy.
Dave at 12:49AM on Jul 18th 2008