(vanity) HR 570: Threat to Physician/ Pharmacist Freedom of Conscience

1/21/2009 | vanity

[markomalley]

Continuing my browse through Thomas, I discovered a craftily-worded bill that was introduced into the House: HR 570, "Protecting Patients and Health Care Act of 2009."

The bill is very carefully and briefly worded. It simply states:

"The final regulations issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services entitled “Ensuring That Department of Health and Human Services Funds Do Not Support Coercive or Discriminatory Policies or Practices in Violation of Federal Law”, 73 Fed. Reg. 78072 (December 19, 2008), shall have no force or effect."

This actually refers to 45 CFR 88, which essentially prohibits HHS funds to go to programs that coerce providers or institutions to "perform health care services and research activities to which they may object for religious, moral, ethical, or other reasons."

In other words, if this bill passes and is signed, it, in essence, removes a freedom of conscience right from hospitals, doctors, researchers and pharmacists.

[markomalley]

Obama/Daschle will likely get to this, eventually, anyway. But this bill short-circuits the process.

Frankly, I think that the Obama White House should be lobbied for this (I mean it), not on a pro-life basis (which really won't matter to him), but on the basis that this bill substantially weakens the office of President, as it has one branch of government telling another branch how to do its job, not just what to do.

None the less, this bill is a bad bill and needs to be stopped!!

[markomalley]

pro-life pings for your lists!!