Press Release on Coakley Hostility to Conscience Rights

Catholic Medical Association ^ | January 18, 2010 | Catholic Medical Association

[ArrogantBustard]

Philadelphia, PA – January 18, 2010 – In a statement released Monday, the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) condemned statements regarding respect for conscience rights made by Democratic Senate candidate Martha Coakley in an interview conducted on January 14. “In the course of the interview, Martha Coakley demonstrated hostility to conscience rights in general, and to the beliefs of faithful Catholics in particular,” stated John F. Brehany, Ph.D., S.T.L., executive director of the CMA.

When asked if she would support federal legislation that protected the conscience rights of health care providers, Coakley replied, “I don’t believe that would be included in the health care bill.” Moving on, she stated that, “I would not pass a bill . . . to say that people who believe that they do not want to provide services required under the law and under Roe v. Wade, that they can individually decide to not follow the law. The answer to that is no.” Referencing the provision of drugs following sexual assault and Catholics, Coakley concluded, “You can have religious freedom, but you probably shouldn’t work in the emergency room.”

According to Brehany, there are a couple of important things to notice about Coakley’s comments: “First,” he noted, “although much attention has been paid to Coakley’s comments about “working in the emergency room,” her comments reveal hostility to the rights of all providers regarding any procedure under the law. While it is true that focused attacks on conscience rights have centered on abortion and reproductive services, there is nothing to prevent advocacy groups from insisting that providers cooperate with euthanasia, assisted suicide, and any number of other unethical actions. Coakley specifically disagrees with objecting to any services ‘required under the law and Roe v. Wade’.”

Second, Brehany commented, “Coakley’s statements reveal a specific hostility to faithful Catholics. While some news stories of the interview have referred to ‘devout Catholics’ in the emergency room, the interviewer actually referenced Catholics who ‘believe what the Pope teaches.’ This is the definition of a real Catholic, not of a devout Catholic. Coakley’s dismissal of their faith and rights and is a shocking display of disrespect for members of one religion. Even on legal grounds, it is inadequate, as Matt Bowman of the Alliance defense fund has pointed out here.”

Brehany concluded, “This should be a wake-up call to all Catholics and even all health care providers. Conscience rights in medical practice are under attack as never before. People should demand legal protection of their human and constitutional rights in any new health care legislation. Running roughshod over conscience rights is not only wrong in principle, it will harm patients as faithful, ethical health-care providers are driven out of practice.”

The section of the interview of Ken Pittman with Martha Coakley on conscience and health care can be heard at this link, beginning at the 55-second mark.

For more information, or for an interview with CMA executive director John Brehany, Ph.D., contact the Catholic Medical Association.

Founded in 1932, the Catholic Medical Association is the largest association of Catholic physicians in North America. For more information, go to http://www.cathmed.org.