DEMOCRATS VS CONSCIENCE:

Rule Protects Workers Who Deny Care That Violates Beliefs (Rob Stein, 12/19/08, Washington Post)

The Bush administration yesterday granted sweeping new protections to health workers who refuse to provide care that violates their personal beliefs, setting off an intense battle over opponents' plans to try to repeal the controversial measure.

Critics began consulting with the incoming Obama administration on strategies to reverse the regulation as quickly as possible while supporters started mobilizing to fight such efforts.

The far-reaching regulation cuts off federal funding for any state or local government, hospital, health plan, clinic or other entity that does not accommodate doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other employees who refuse to participate in care they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable. It was sought by conservative groups, abortion opponents and others to safeguard workers from being fired, disciplined or penalized in other ways.

But women's health advocates, family planning proponents, abortion rights activists and some members of Congress condemned the regulation....

Protection for the conscience must be inexplicable to those who have none. Hard to believe a new and unknown president wants this to be how he begins to be perceived.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 18, 2008 10:12 PM