HHS conscience rules deadline approaching

One News Now: “Time is running out to voice opinions on Health and Human Services conscience rules for medical personnel. President Bush put into place conscience rules to implement current law to protect medical professionals who object to performing certain services or dispensing medications that violate their religious beliefs or sense of ethics. Thursday is the deadline for public comment.”

Baptist Press: Deadline nears for comments on health conscience rules
“The poll, conducted on the phone by The Polling Co., also found 62 percent oppose the Obama administration’s plan to rescind the Bush regulation. The polling firm also found in an online survey that 95 percent of faith-based doctors ‘would rather stop practicing medicine altogether than be forced to violate my conscience.’”

Citizen Link: Americans Support Medical Professionals’ Freedom of Conscience
“A whopping 87 percent of American adults believe it is important to ‘make sure health care professionals in America are not forced to participate in procedures and practices to which they have moral objections.’”

Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) Comment

Americans United For Life (AUL) Press Release / Comment

Bioethics Defense Fund (BDF) Comment

Family Research Council (FRC) Press Release / Comment – Signers include executives from Concerned Women for America, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc., American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International, and Safe Drugs for Women.

Liberty Counsel  Press Release / Comment

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Comment – the Conference has also set up a “conscience protection” website.

The Heritage Foundation has a site devoted to the issue–A Doctor’s Right–with more information. Of special interest is Randolph W. Pate’s overview of relevant federal law.

National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA) Action Alert