Posted on 04/06/2009 8:39:39 AM PDT by NYer
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Senate on Thursday night rejected an amendment from a pro-life senator that would have provided conscience protection on abortion for doctors and medical centers. The amendment comes at a time when President Barack Obama is considering overturning further protections.
Sen Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican, sponsored an amendment to the Senate budget bill that would protect the right of conscience for health care workers.
His budget amendment was to "protect the freedom of conscience for patients and the right of health care providers to serve patients without violating their moral and religious convictions."
However, the Senate rejected the conscience amendment on a 56-41 vote with most of the chamber's Democrats voting against it along with a handful of pro-abortion Republicans.
Three Democrats joined most of the Senate Republicans in voting for the Coburn amendment.
Douglas Johnson, the legislative director for National Right to Life, talked with LifeNews.com about the vote afterwards. He says the pro-life community needs to be prepared for even bigger battles in the Senate.
"This Senate vote has no direct legal effect, but it is one more signal that the coming Democratic 'health care reform' bill will be loaded with provisions that assault basic pro-life principles, so the pro-life movement better be prepared for a big fight," he explained.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life women's group, told LifeNews.com before the vote that the amendment was worthy of support.
"This amendment is crucial in our fight to protect doctors and nurses around the country from being discriminated against for refusing to participate in abortions and other medical procedures that violate their conscience," she said.
The amendment comes at a time when Obama is considering rescinding the Provider Conscience Clause that further protects the rights of health workers.
President Bush put the provision into place to provide more enforcement for the three federal laws that make it so medical professionals and facilities are not required to do abortions.
However, President Obama has proposed overturning those conscience protections and will likely do so after a 30-day public comment window expires on April 9.
Despite federal laws protecting health care workers from having to participate in abortions, Dannenfelser says she knows of examples of that happening.
"Sadly we have already seen cases of discrimination. For example in 2008 a nurse was forced to leave two different hospitals because she refused to sign a form pledging to assist in abortions," she said.
ACTION: Contact your two U.S. senators and respond to their vote on the Coburn amendment. Call 202-224-3121 to connect with any senator's office or visit http://www.Senate.gov
Vote by Home State on the Coburn Amendment
A yes vote is pro-life and a no vote is pro-abortion
Another nail in this regime’s coffin. Their fall is going to be hard and nasty.
ACT NOW!
COMMENT DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT APRIL 9
You have a vitally important opportunity to immediately send a message to prevent a critical loss of access to healthcare professionals who are being systematically pressured to violate ethical standards. Here's what's been happening:
Medical Professionals Comment Here
Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
Arlen Specter voted worse than the Dem Casey Jr. in this one (Casey Jr no doubt had to ask Reid “Mother may I?” first)
Ping!
Freedom of Choice, huh??????
Freedom From Choice!!! What ba$tards!
It may be in your coffin, if you don't act now! See the links at above post.
Pro choice people are not Christians because they are indiscriminate genocidal baby killers. Josef Mengele would be proud.
Thanks, I sent my comments on.
So I guess choice is limited to only one option. Some choice for doctors, huh?
A week or so ago, I emailed the Pope and suggested that he send 0bama a letter explaining what would happen in the USofA if every Catholic Hospital and Catholic Doctor closed their doors.
A one to three day closing of all Catholic Medical facilities would create total chaos but may be the only thing that changes 0’s mind.
Time to Party like it’s 1773.
Huh? Obama is the most radically pro-abortion person we have ever had in office. He was radical even by Senate standards during his brief time there.
The courage is up to the rest of us, because Obama is going to attack fast and hard now.
I admit it took me a minute follow this, perhaps because I just came from the gym. But it did sink in and I'm glad it did because I think it's the right reaction.
Planned Parenthood runs this country. Somebody, please, research their cash flow so we can find the smoking gun, because I’m sure it’s there.
This will go to the Supreme Court, where it will be smacked down.
Pray for these professionals on the front lines, and pray for our country.
Some of their cash flow comes from us, the US taxpayer.
Can I steal that ?
Good line.
I don’t know about that. Americans are getting less human with every passing day.
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