The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reviewing public comments received on a proposal to rescind an important federal regulation. The 2008 regulation implements and enforces three federal laws.  These presently protect the conscience rights of health care providers, especially those at risk of being discriminated against because of their moral or religious objection to specific healthcare procedures, including abortion or assisted suicide.  For background, see: http://www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection.

 

As they did when the conscience regulation was first proposed, certain groups attempted to flood HHS with comments attacking conscience rights.  These groups want to force doctors, nurses and hospitals to violate their consciences or leave the profession. The Catholic community and others submitted comments during the comment period in an effort to prevent the rescission of the conscience protection regulation.

 

"Religious liberty and freedom of conscience have been building blocks of our society since its founding. We respect conscientious objection for those opposed to war, physicians opposed to taking part in capital punishment, and others who object to involvement in the taking of life. We can do no less in the context of abortion", said Cardinal George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

 

Conscience protection does not threaten access to health care. Allowing health care providers to serve the public without violating their consciences protects and enhances access to health care, by ensuring continued participation by some of our most dedicated health professionals. Catholic and other faith-based providers are specially called to serve the poorest and most vulnerable, from the inner city to remote rural areas - if they are driven away, who will replace them?

 

Thank you to those of you that made the effort to let the Department of Health and Human Services know of their stand for the protection of conscience, especially for those who provide the health care services so necessary for a good society. 

(CLICK HERE to send a comment to the Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science.  Official deadline for submission of comments passed April 9, 2009.)