New HHS Rule Protecting Right to Discriminate

[slashmarks]

The Department of Health and Human Services is putting out a new “conscience” rule which would allow medical professionals to refuse care to patients for religious reasons.

Some people at risk if this rule is put into place:

-Religious personnel could refuse to help women who are miscarrying, even if their life is at risk.

-Women whose pregnancies endanger their lives might be turned away; doctors might even refuse to tell them about the risks in case they go to another facility for abortions.

-Doctors could refuse to treat LGBT patients.

-Bush era versions of the rule resulted in doctors refusing to provide care for HIV and AIDS.

The proposed rule would also create a new "civil rights" office dedicated to enforcing it, with the power to investigate whether organizations are complying and punish them if they don't allow employees to refuse care.

HHS is accepting public comments until March 27 at 11:59 EST. Comments are most effective if they give detailed reasons and are not copy/pasted from another source. You can read the proposed rule and comment on it at this link.

Some more coverage of the proposed rule:

Washington Post

Advocate

Politico

Giving Up On Giving Up: Check-In Post #3

[nanila]

Hello Fine Crew Members,
It's just over a week until the end of Lent. How are you doing on your Giving Up On Giving Up?

I'm still keeping up with the news every day, appalling as it continues to be. I donated to Sport Relief (a UK charity drive). I gave a slightly belated British Science Week outreach talk to a girls' school in London.

Here's hoping you've had some successes, however small, as well!