Right of Conscience

Dateline Washington Post:

"The Bush administration yesterday granted sweeping new protections to health workers who refuse to provide care that violates their personal beliefs ....The far-reaching regulation cuts off federal funding for any state or local government, hospital, health plan, clinic or other entity that does not accommodate doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other employees who refuse to participate in care they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable."

How does this impact you? Aside from the standard argument about limiting abortion opportunities or birth control if the cashier at Wal-Mart is one that follows strict Catholic doctrine, you can be denied basic health care if anyone at any level objects to any treatment based on a personal belief.

Let that sink in for a little bit.

Got it?

Does your child have an infection? Maybe something that requires an antibiotic. You go to the Doctor and get a prescription, then on to your pharmacy. When you hand the prescription to the clerk they tell you that the prescription cannot be filled because they object to providing a child with this type of medication. Maybe they don't even tell you that much, maybe they just say that they will not pass this on to the pharmacist. No further explanation.

What to do oh what to do. So you ask to see the pharmacist and they tell you no, my beliefs prohibit me from allowing a child to take an antibiotic.

Maybe you just want to buy pack of Trojans, a bottle of wine or a pack of cigarettes, sorry but no can do....my religious beliefs will not allow me to sell those items. Don't think it won't go that far because it could.

Under this rule so lovingly provided to us in the waning days of number 44's administration the store/company that this individual works for has no recourse against the employee and it is the employee's decision to withhold service.

If you agree with this new and absurd rule or don't believe it will impact you just go about your daily business but don't get upset when some holier than thou creature refuses to acknowledge your rights by proclaiming their rights supercede yours.

If you don't agree call this number (202) 456-1414. In case you don't recognize it, it is the number for the White House. Call and tell Bush that you will not abrogate your right to health care. Current Civil Rights law provides for employers to protect the right of anyone with an objection to providing a service that violates their beliefs and still serve and protect the right of the consumer.

This new rule put forth by the Bush administration is just another attempt to make it more difficult for women to obtain an abortion but it is so vague that virtually anyone can limit your right to any medication or procedure.

That number again - (202) 456-1414