WASHINGTON: A last-minute Bush administration plan to grant sweeping new protections to health care providers who oppose abortion and other procedures on religious or moral grounds has provoked a torrent of objections, including a strenuous protest from the government agency that enforces job-discrimination laws.<\/p>\n
The proposed rule would prohibit recipients of federal money from discriminating against doctors, nurses and other health care workers who refuse to perform or to assist in the performance of abortions or sterilization procedures because of their "religious beliefs or moral convictions."<\/p>\n
It would also prevent hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices and drugstores from requiring employees with religious or moral objections to "assist in the performance of any part of a health service program or research activity" financed by the Department of Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n
This of course will cause much wailing and gnashing of teeth from pro-abortion types.<\/p>\n
But three officials from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, including its legal counsel, whom President George W. Bush appointed, said the proposal would overturn 40 years of civil rights law prohibiting job discrimination based on religion.<\/p>\n
The counsel, Reed Russell, and two Democratic members of the commission, Stuart Ishimaru and Christine Griffin, also said that the rule was unnecessary for the protection of employees and potentially confusing to employers.<\/p>\n
Yes not allowing discrimination based on religious belief will "overturn 40 years of civil rights law prohibiting job discrimination based on religion." It must be opposite day there.<\/p>\n
Obama has said the proposal will raise new hurdles to women seeking reproductive health services, like abortion and some contraceptives. Michael Leavitt, the health and human services secretary, said that was not the purpose.<\/p>\n
Officials at the Health and Human Services Department said they intended to issue a final version of the rule within days. Aides and advisers to Obama said he would try to rescind it, a process that could take three to six months.<\/p>\n
Yes allowing someone to follow their religious beliefs is a "hurdle to overcome." Not being able to force people to not follow their conscience is a problem. Yes those few people who actually have properly formed consciences are a defect that must be trampled over. You will assimilate to the culture of death or else! You can only have a consciously objection if it is to the military don’t you know. Don’t worry oh culture of deathers since this will only be a temporary span of time where conscience is king and Moloch will get back his crown within three to six months.<\/p>\n
The proposal is supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Health Association, which represents Catholic hospitals.<\/p>\n