Clinton, Murray vow reversal of Bush abortion rule

[babylonsister]

Clinton, Murray vow reversal of Bush abortion rule
By Jeffrey Young
Posted: 12/18/08 05:30 PM


Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Patty Murray (Wash.) pledged to do whatever it takes to undo a new regulation they say will limit women’s access to medical care.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a regulation Thursday that the administration says will protect healthcare workers from being forced to take actions that go against their conscience.

When the rule takes effect next month, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and a host of other classes of healthcare workers will have strengthened legal rights to refuse to perform, or discuss, abortions, or take part in any other activity about which they have a moral objection.

"Doctors and other healthcare providers should not be forced to choose between good professional standing and violating their conscience,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said.

To Clinton, Murray and a plethora of women’s groups and, the last-minute “conscience clause” rule is a parting shot against women’s rights to abortion and contraceptive services by the outgoing administration.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/clinton-murray-vow-reversal-of-bush-abortion-rule-2008-12-18.html

Related:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4676153

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear babylonsister!

And how much I hope they can reverse it!

That law is an abomination...

There are so many things that need fixing...

Where in hell is January?


:-(

[makinguphumans]

2. It will require all dems working together And the WH:

“This regulation threatens access to critical healthcare services and information, while upending the carefully crafted religious protections for patients and providers already in law,” said Clinton, who has been chosen by President-elect Obama to be secretary of state next year.

“Under the next administration and Congress, we will reverse this policy and ensure that the health of patients always comes first. I will work with President-elect Obama to explore every possible option to ensure women continue to have access to the healthcare they need,” Murray said.

Doing so could prove tricky and time-consuming.

The incoming Obama administration cannot simply cancel the regulation because, once it is published Friday, it will have the force of law on Jan. 18. Obama’s HHS could issue a new regulation to repeal or replace the Bush rule but that process typically takes at least six months.

Congress has several legislative methods of undoing regulations but votes on abortion issues are always heated.

[babylonsister]

3. I hear ya, Peggy, January can't come soon enough! nt