HHS instates conscience rule

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HHS instates conscience rule
« Thread Started on Dec 18, 2008, 10:52am »

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HHS instates conscience rule
Posted: 12:49 PM ET
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A new federal regulation is aimed at protecting the rights of health care providers who refuse to participate in a procedure such as abortion because of their moral or religious beliefs.

The regulation was issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in an effort to get it on the books before President-elect Barack Obama’s administration begins with his swearing-in January 20.

“Doctors and other health care providers should not be forced to choose between good professional standing and violating their conscience,” said Mike Leavitt, head of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Critics of the measure, however, argue that existing laws already protect health care professionals who refuse to provide care because of their beliefs. The new rule, they claim, goes further by specifying that all health care workers — from doctors to hospital janitors — now may withhold information from patients, in effect preventing the patients from making a decision.