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 2 of 12)
16. LOL. Obama must be doing something right. The GOP is scared sh*tless of him!
Uncla Al at 1:56AM on Jul 18th 2008
17. Incidently, as some one was hawking and screaming about how the religious left is blocking effective energy policy, I feel compelled to respond. As a pretty solid lefty, I don't care if we drill off shore or really in ANWR. We have oil shale refining research that stalled in the 1980's. Lets pick that up again. Canada can make oil sand work. Let's see if we can do the same for shale.
But... here is the all so critical but... drilling more is not a solution. The oil does not magically appear in the ground by oil faeries. It is a product that takes geological time to complete. It doesn't matter where we dig or who we bomb, the reality is that oil is by its nature a scarce product that can only grow more scarcer. You might dip the price a little, but ultimately it can only go up.
So, Bush wants to drill off shore? Fine. Put fuel economy caps on ALL cars. If it doesn't get 30 miles to the gallon it's not sold in the US. Believe me, auto makers will adjust. Bush wants to drill in ANWR? Fine. Put just as much energy in a decentralized power grid hooked to local solar and wind power supplies.
The goal, dear snotlings, isn't to push down oil prices. The goal is to aim for energy sustainability. That means shifting as much of our transportation infrastructure to electricity and as much of our energy infrastructure to sustainable energy sources. Solar. Wind. Geothermal. Nuclear (yeah, I'm a lefty that loves the nukes. Just wish we weren't dumb about its use.) power too. Heck, even coal gassification if they can make it work. Give government low interest loans for new plants that use the new technology. Whatever it takes to not just boost supply but reduce demand as well.
Which might, incidently, require some changes. Like revitalizing Amtrak into something practical. (Handy factoid... all trains in the US are electric powered, running off deseil powered generators). Or like stopping the endless bailouts of the airline industry and doing like european carriers with one national airline. Capitalism is a fine thing but when a business is not sustainable it is insane to bail it out again and again when its business model fails.
And let you in on a little secret. Shhh... listen up... environmentalists are just as eager for sustainability as anyone having to pay five bucks a gallon. If we have sustainable power through solar and wind, huuzah. Air quality goes up. Water quality goes up. Work productivity goes up. Carbon footprint shrinks. It's a win win situation for environmentalists. What they don't want is simply more of the same behavior that got us into this problem in the first place: the nieve faith that if they just suck a little more oil out of the ground then they don't have to suck up and change their behavior.
Somber at 2:33AM on Jul 18th 2008
18. When a guy wacks off, he is also letting off the "potential for life". I believe it is indeed arrogant to say that you can define when and where the beginning of life is. Once again, most of these people who are against any type of abortion are still for sex with condoms when in fact, no one wants to confront the issue that sperm itself is a potential. I say if you are against it than no sex and no masturbating period.
Michael at 3:08AM on Jul 18th 2008
19. 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
==========================================
I generally agree, but this can be problematic in some rural areas.
Captain Negative at 5:36AM on Jul 18th 2008
20. I find a liberal with a cause a lot more dangerous than a preacher with bad hair!
Joe at 7:08AM on Jul 18th 2008
21. You're right the GOP is scared of Obama as are most Americans that lived through Jimmy Carter.
If elected Obama will make the Carter years seem like great times.
The guy is completely unqualifed for the job, just because he speaks without rhyming his word people think he's qualifed for the toughest job in the world.
Talk about an Affirmative Action Candidate.
Joe at 7:20AM on Jul 18th 2008
22. well, for the record, if this gets out, ppl can look for a second opinion. but at the same time, this is gonna cause BIG problems for doctors, nurses and pharmacists in smaller towns and rural areas where they are the ONLY providers around. of course, to "keep up apperances" with the neighbors, i bet good money that ppl will do their jobs and not force their religious beliefs down others throats b/c we just can't have the shame of some girl/woman having had sex with someone who isn't her husband. seriously. enough money can make ALOT of "problems" go away. however, i do believe that legal abortions are on the books and that access to birth control is a right in this country. so, it stands to reason that if you don't want to give out birth control or give referals to or preform abortions, then you need to get into another line of work. this thing will work itself out, tho, in the sense that after a few ppl get sued, a few families are shamed and a few girls/women die due to not having access to proper birth control and the health care that goes along with, ppl will get with the program. do your job or get a new one!
Devynn at 9:16AM on Jul 18th 2008
23. Make no mistake - this is the agenda of the radical right. No abortions ever, no birth control ever. Never mind that birth control and access to it prevent unwanted pregnancies.
It is hilarious how elected Republicans simply wink at the whole issue of abortion. If some of them truly believe it is murder, why don't they have the guts to say so? Why not call it murder and call for women to be locked up who get one? Because they know that is political suicide. Their power is far more important to them than stopping abortions. The GOP simply uses the issue during elections, then forget about it once in office.
David S. at 9:07AM on Jul 18th 2008
24. For you people who read Clif's comments and believe his crap, let's set the record straight by stating some facts:
Brazil: according to Clif, "Brazil uses little or no oil" Fact: Brazil has the 10th largest economy in the world and the 4th largest democracy. Brazil exports coffee, aircraft, iron ore, soybeans, steel, textiles, footwear and electrical equipment. Recently, due to its program to develop bio-fuels and the discovery of substantial deep water oil reserves, Brazil has become energy independent and is no longer importing oil. In fact, Brazil is starting to export ethanol developed from sugar cane.
Oil Windfall Profits Tax: contrary to what Clif stated, the Oil Windfall Profits Tax passed in 1980, during the Carter Administration and revoked in 1988 during the Reagan Administration, did not succeed, as Carter Administration proponents had suggested. During that time, domestic oil production decreased and our reliance on oil imports increased by 20%.
I don't have time to refute Clif's other crap, but if there are any people out there who read Clif's bull and think it's true, use your brain, do some research and learn the facts.
David Pitlock at 9:15AM on Jul 18th 2008
25. Any health care worker who wishes not to perform these procedures should be able to find employment in one of the many religiously affiliated providers who don't, as a part of policy, provide those services. Or they can narrow their own practice to areas where it wouldn't be an issue.
There's no need for this.
bob at 10:02AM on Jul 18th 2008
26. David Pitlock,
What, did you get your information from 2005?
Brazil doesn't import oil for Gasoline. Let's get that out of the way first.
Almost every single car now in Brazil is a flex fuel car. All gas stations sell ethanol. They have essentially elimanted gasoline for cars.
Brazil has a whopping 260 million acres of land available for cultivation. Plus, it has another 86 million acres that have been used for pastures, are now mostly fallow, and could mostly be converted to sugar cane cultivation. So the capacity to produce more ethanol is almost limitless.
Already, last year, Brazilian ethanol makers produced 4.5 billion gallons of ethanol and exported 900 million gallons.
You didn't prove Clif wrong, he was right.
And as a big time investor in the Sugar Cane industry, I can tell you, those guys have their shit together. Over here when people think of Ethanol, they think of Corn. Corn sucks. Sugar is the ticket.
And you won't refute Clif's points, because you can't. If you look at things objectively coupled with knowledge, you might be able to see what Clif see's.
All the best,
Botts at 10:21AM on Jul 18th 2008
27. 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.
xxxxxxxx
Ahh yes Pelosi talking points straight from her mouth huh?YOu know as well as everyone that the acres have not been determined "productive". So it is ok to drill on the 65 million acres but you can't drill off the coast or Anwar typical liberal.
Steven R at 10:25AM on Jul 18th 2008
28. 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
xxxxxxxxx
hmmm. let me guess Kansas or somewhere in the midwest? I bet Tiller the baby killer is your buddy huh? As your Governor says he is a medical provider, yes for 5 grand he will do an abortion no questions asked.
Steven R at 10:32AM on Jul 18th 2008
29. I wish my parents sborted me.
Bill at 12:27PM on Jul 18th 2008
30. And the liberal democrats pander to the pagan left. So what else is new???
Chris Bruno at 5:12PM on Jul 18th 2008