Will Obama lift the "Conscience Rule"?

[5ft Diva]

I have talked in the past about not understanding issues in the political arena. This issue was presented to me in the form of an e-mail. I decided there was no time like the present to become acquainted w/ what I'm being told so I did some research. I feel like I have a better grasp on the topic and I'm sure there is still much to learn and hope that others will share their knowledge.

My understanding is that the Conscience Rule was issued the last week of December and put into effect Jan. 20th (the day Obama took office). It was actually issued by our very own Michael Leavitt. The purpose of this rule was to protect anyone in the health care profession who would feel forced to perform medical procedures that went against their moral conscience.

The argument from one side is that this rule takes away the patient's right to choose whether or not they want a procedure performed. The argument from the other side is that it's protecting the religious freedoms of those who would otherwise be forced to perform procedures that go against their religious beliefs.

I have read that there will be a 30 day public comment period before the Conscience Rule is withdrawn so that Pres. Obama's administration can hear both sides of this delicate issue.

So, in short, what I found was the rule hasn't been lifted....yet. One side wanted to protect the religious freedom of anyone in the health care profession and the other side wants to protect the patient's right to choose. There is a desire to hear both sides of the argument, but whether something is put into motion before the conscience rule is lifted is another story all in itself and my opinion is that that could create a massive ripple effect.

I don't know who to trust these days so I hope my information is accurate. I am trying to be as unbiased as possible. I feel I just owe people truth if I'm going to start a thread about this.

I will add an opinion of mine though, and that is we (as a nation) are so concerned about money that these moral issues are flying just under the radar before we even have a chance to understand what's going on let alone, do anything if we so desire. I recognize that the Obama administration is taking advantage of the economic crisis right now to pass laws and bills right under our noses, but they did not create this crisis that began last fall/winter. They had no way of preventing it from happening. They just see an opportunity and have taken it. It's our job to recognize that and do something about it.

After researching this a little more I can now say I know more than I did and I hope the information was helpful to someone out there.

________________________________________________
Was this information helpful to you?

[Big_Sissy]

If it is what it is, I'm for it.

Look at any other profession -- If they don't want to do a job, they don't have to. They can simply bow out of the job prior to the contract being signed and not do it. How is the medical profession any different?

If you are an OB, and you don't want to perform abortions, you shouldn't have to. Sorry if you want an abortion, you'll have to find someone else.

[natickgirl]

I agree with BS. No one should be forced to perform tasks they feel are morally wrong just because someone else does not. (Except, maybe, defense attorneys...but then they chose their profession knowing they might have to defend people who they felt were guilty. Can they refuse to defend someone?)

It's so ironic and wrong that CA and other states have or will pass laws forcing people to accept immoral choices (same-sex marriage, abortion, legalization of marijuana), but very few states allow us to even consider passing laws for morality (anti-abortion, anti-same-sex marriage, reinstating prohibition, etc.). When an individual's right to choose infringes on a society's preferences, it seems like the individual always comes out on top. Very, very sad. I'm all for giving minority parties a voice, but not when it comes to lowering the nation's moral standards.

[Erudite]

Well said, NG! And thanks for bringing this up, 5D. I hadn't heard of it in these terms before. I'm with BS on it...why can't someone who wants a particular procedure go to someone who is willing to perform it? Why would force be needed?

hmmmm...as soon as I thought that, my next thought was...well, it's not like there's a shortage of doctors. But in some cases there is. If you lived in a rural area for example, you might not have a whole lot of choice in doctors and it could be financially prohibitive to go to the "city" to find a doctor. So there's one possible reason for the rule to be a tough one for some.