We asked you about doctors and nurses beling allowed to opt out of performing abortions.
I am against the right to opt out of this procedure as a health care professional. As a woman working in the field I believe we as health care professionals must abide by the law. Wether we believe in the procedure or not. If this is approved then what is the next procedure health care professionals will be able to not partake in? -- Misty
This is a no brainer, for those people that actually use the brains they were born with.... Abstinence works every time! Not only do women save money on birth control, they are saved their dignity by not getting sucked into the abortion mill. -- Michael
Won't Bush's rule allow a medical worker to impose their own moral views on a customer? Won't that mean that Christians who don't like gays or prostitutes can refuse to fill prescriptions or give medical care? -- David
I feel that this will help the patient. I wouldn't want a doctor doing a procedure that they feel is morally wrong. They may feel more inclined to have an "accident". Let the patient find a doctor who supports the patients decision. -- Adam
We believe that anyone has the right to refuse assistance in medical abortions if it's against their moral convictions. Everyone should have the right to stand up for their beliefs. Even if they are in the medical profession, they shouldn't have to be forced to do something they don't want to. -- Rosemarie and Kathleen
If medical professionals and others may refuse to provide treatment or prescriptions based on their personal and religious beliefs where will that end? People seeking advise on abortion, with aids, gays in general, potentially Jewish people, African Americans, etc will be laft out and treated as second class citizens in the medical field. This could spread to other organizations and is a very slippery slope. We need to stop hate in this country hidden under the guise of religion in America!! -- David
I completely agree and support those who stand by their moral values in following their conscience. We are first and foremost to follow what is right and especially as Christians support and embrace the sanctity of life! -- Jeandark
on the healthcare worker issue of12-02-08-sounds like more republican meddling sillyness to me why not let people make up their own minds. -- Cezar
It is amazing that "Pro-Choice" only applies to a woman's right to have an abortion, so using this same terminology any person should also have the "Pro-Choice" right to not participate in a medical procedure that is against their moral belief. -- ***
Passing a law to enable people to refuse to do a medical procedure they disagree may sound straightforward on the surface, but it would have another, hopefully unintended, result. Doctors or medical practice administration may determine what services can be "morally permitted" in their own views and take away people's access to needed and legal procedures. Employees in a tight job market will be unwilling to go against decisions made by those who make hiring and firing decisions for fear of losing their jobs. The story about people being afraid to refuse to do something they are morally opposed to is being overplayed and doesn't show the opposite viewpoint. -- Jasper
We definitely need a right of conscience rule. There are two sides to this: If women have a right to chose abortion, shouldn't the doctor have rights as well to choose not to perform one. Are our freedoms only for some and not all? -- Jean
If someone is going to nit-pick about procedures they are willing or not willing to do, they should get a new line of work. The patient's needs should always come first. -- Chris
Regardless of what spin is put on this new Bush rule, it is restricting further the rights of women to their legal rights to make choices for themselves. It is the law in this land that women have the right to make choices and at every turn the religous right have been limiting the access to these rights. Bush was carried into office by the religous conservatives and he will do his best to serve those until his last day! I am confident though, that the new administration will work to lift this, among other rules, that Bush is signing into law. No one but the individual concerned should have the right to make decisions for that person! -- Sharon
: I was in health care for over thirty years. Fortunately I was always able to exercise my right of conscience. There was always someone else available for non emergency procedures. In the case of life threatening situations you do whatever you can to save a life. If it's not life threatening the health care provider has as much right not to be coerced as the patient has to seek the type of care they desire. -- Tim
Right of consciousness: Just another opportunity for Bush to prove he's an idiot! I don't like every aspect of my job, will that mean that I don't have to do everything I don't approve of or like? If so, I think I should be fired!!!! -- Ken
This cheap Bush tactic of defeating laws and procedures causes ambiguity and uncertainty during crucial medical decision making situations. The so called Balance of Conscience rule is a sideways attempt to overturn established rules and to create room for an idealogue to be the gatekeeper for procedures. This might be someone with no grasp on the reality of a patients request or needs. It could create a blocking action to someone getting adequate medical service. This is the slimiest of attempts to do an end run on contraception or abortion assistance. It is an attempt to send out foot soldiers or more accurately an army of terrorists sitting in judgment of people needing specific procedures. This seems a typical tack from this most despicable of any US administration for honoring the rules of this nation. So naturally this attempt to have individuals stand in judgment of existing rules would all seem as business as usual for the thugs we have had to endure as leaders for the last 8 years. Lack of clear rules would create chaos and bickering over services. This is utter madness and why should I be surprised. -- Jack
