Congress Must Stop Bush's Sneak-Attack on Reproductive Health Services
In his final hour, President Bush is trying to sneak in a last-minute regulation that Senator Hillary Clinton says would "threaten patients' rights, stand in the way of health care professionals and restrict access to critical health care services for those who need them most."
Bush's new ruling under the Health and Human Services (HHS) would allow health care organizations that receive federal funding to refuse to provide abortion or contraceptives based on "religious or moral grounds."
This regulation threatens patients' right to comprehensive health care and would critically undermine health care facilities with a commitment to provide patients with options. The rule could nullify state laws that require hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims. It would also allow pharmacy employees to refuse to fill prescriptions for contraceptives based solely on personal beliefs.
Clinton and Senator Patty Murray just introduced a bill to stop this ruling, the Protecting Patients and Health Care Act. Urge Congress to pass this bill immediately to overrule President Bush's dangerous regulation!
Dear Congressperson,
In his final hour, President Bush is trying to sneak in a new ruling that will threaten patients' rights to comprehensive health care. That's why I urge you to cosponsor and support the Protecting Patients and Health Care Act, which would block Bush's regulation.
Bush's new regulation under the Health and Human Services (HHS) would allow health care organizations that receive federal funding to refuse to provide abortion or contraceptives based on "religious or moral grounds." But I do not feel this is necessary. Employees are already protected against religious discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Rather than protect employees, this ruling would undermine health care facilities that are committed to provide patients with options.
I am concerned that this new proposal would nullify state laws that require hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims and also state laws that require insurance companies to cover contraceptives. I am also concerned that the ruling would allow pharmacy employees to refuse to fill prescriptions for contraceptives based solely on personal beliefs.
[Your comment here]
Please sponsor the Protecting Patients and Health Care Act to stop this dangerous regulation.
