Obama's administration is moving to rescind Bush's last minute Conscious clause that he passed just before leaving office. Here are some quotes against the conscious clause:


"Countless women may be denied emergency contraception and other care -- even after rape -- without adequate information and alternatives. It intentionally shrouds the term abortion in new and unnecessary ambiguity, encouraging each individual to define it and deny virtually all forms of contraception, even emergency contraception to rape victims. Individual beliefs should be respected, but should not determine whether vital health care is available.

Empowering any random individual on duty to deny critical health care -- on a whim or wish -- is arbitrary, unfair and illegal. The rule decimates professional accountability. It destroys carefully crafted and balanced state laws like Connecticut's that safeguard health care while respecting individual conscience. This midnight rule is a nightmare for hospitals and clinics as well as women because any individual may simply deny emergency health care -- without providing a reason or alternative to patients or even informing supervisors."
http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=3673&Q=431972



"The Department of Health and Human Services said the regulation would allow the federal government to withhold federal funds for state and local governments, health plans and health care facilities that do not follow existing federal laws that ban discrimination against doctors and other health workers who refuse to participate in procedures such as sterilizations or abortions or to make referrals for such procedures."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/16/lawsuit.health.care/index.html


"McClusky and other abortion opponents said the Bush regulation clarified federal policies and raised awareness about the rights of medical providers to follow their consciences. But abortion rights advocates said it was vague and overly broad, and could reduce access to other services - allowing a drug store clerk to refuse to sell birth control pills, for example.


Federal law has long forbidden discrimination against health care professionals who refuse to perform abortions or provide referrals for them on religious or moral grounds. The Obama administration supports those laws, said the HHS official.

The Bush administration's rule adds a requirement that institutions that get federal money certify their compliance with laws protecting the rights of moral objectors. It was intended to block the flow of federal funds to hospitals and other institutions that ignore those rights.

But the Obama administration was concerned that the Bush regulation could also be used to refuse birth control, family planning services and counseling for vaccines and transfusions."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/28/health/main4835158.shtml?source=RSSattr=Health_4835158




There was absolutely no reason for this law, since both federal and state governments already have conscious clause rules. This was just a final attempt by Bush to prevent women from getting birth control, Plan B or abortions.



Obama's administration has left a 30 day comment period up to talk about them rescinding the act. The period is almost up- I think it ends on the 9th of April. I've seen a couple of posts in pro-life groups urging people to comment or email, and I really don't want the government to hear only one side of the story.


So everyone, please comment on this! You can go to http://www.regulations.gov and check "Select to find documents" and then enter "Rescission Proposal." Which should take you to here : http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=090000648090229f but I'm not sure if that link works. There is a button on that page to add comments. You can also email proposedrescission@hhs.gov though they ask you not to write the same thing and send in duplicates.




Please ladies, help make sure we all have accress to proper health care.