There has been much talk recently about the possible introduction of requirements that medical students learn to perform abortions and that Catholic hospitals administer the morning-after pill. And, as anyone in a medical profession knows, these are only a few of the times when a healthcare provider is asked—or compelled—to act against his conscience. Soon, such coercion and discrimination may be illegal.
A law professor and friend writes in with this plea:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a rule that would protect the ability of healthcare providers to refuse participation in those things that they believe to be immoral, such as abortion, the morning-after pill, and other emergency contraception. It is important that all citizens who support such protection contact DHHS by Sept. 26 and express that support. The full announcement from DHHS is here , including the following instructions:
1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on this regulation to www.Regulations.gov or via e-mail to consciencecomment@hhs.gov . To submit electronic comments to www.Regulations.gov, go to the Web site and click on the link “Comment or Submission” and enter the keywords “provider conscience”. (Attachments should be in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or Excel; however, we prefer Microsoft Word.)
2. By regular, express, or overnight mail. You may mail written comments (one original and two copies) to the following address only: Office of Public Health and Science, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: Brenda Destro, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 728E, Washington, DC, 20201.
3. By hand or courier. If you prefer, you may deliver (by hand or courier) your written comments (one original and two copies) before the close of the comment period to the following address: Room 728E, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
Please write to HHS today, and ask your prolife contacts to do so as well.
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