Thursday, April 2, 2009

The Coburn Amendment: Protect the Right of Conscience in Health Care Reform

"On March 6, 2009, President Obama rescinded important conscience regulations that President Bush put into effect in order to ensure legal protections for Americans serving in the health care field. The rule is enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights in order to protect providers from discrimination or coercion based on their beliefs. Senator Tom Coburn has introduced an amendment to the 2010 Budget Resolution that attempts to stop President Obama's attempt to weaken conscience protections for health care professionals. Senator Coburn's amendment ensures that any funds used in the budget’s health care reserve fund will not be used to violate the conscience of health care providers or to allow government bureaucrats to make health care choices for patients, including which doctors they may see." - The Susan B. Anthony List

Go to the following link to send the following letter to your Senators:
http://www.sba-list.org/c.ddJBKJNsFqG/b.4179747/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?aid=12087&msource=c4alerts&tr=y&auid=4697751

I am writing to you today to ask you to support Amendment number 828 to S.Con.Res 13.

This amendment ensures that the funds made available through the budget’s health care reserve fund will not be used to violate the conscience of health care providers or to allow government bureaucrats to make health care choices for patients, including which doctors they may see.

The Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule in January 2009 to clarify existing protections for Americans serving in the health care field.

The regulation, posted in the Federal Register on December 19, 2008, will reinforce current laws protecting health care workers who have a right to follow their conscience. They merely preserve the rights of individuals to refuse participation in abortion-related health care. Clarity of the current law is needed so people know their rights.

Unfortunately, on March 6th, the Obama administration formally moved to rescind this important rule. For this reason it is crucial that the Senate act to protect the right of conscience for health care workers.

In the face of increasing shortages of qualified health care personnel, these regulations will also help ensure that pro-life doctors, nurses and hospitals continue to provide valuable services to needy communities around the country.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, I would appreciate a response.

Susan B. Anthony List Activist

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