Today, Ipas welcomed an announcement by the Obama administration that it would begin efforts to rescind last-minute regulations issued by the Bush administration to broaden health workers' rights to refuse to provide treatment and services that they find morally objectionable.
Under these regulations currently in effect, any hospital, state or local government, pharmacy, doctor's office, or clinic would be required to fully employ and support employees' "right of conscience." Any health worker "...with a reasonable connection to a procedure, health service or health service program..." would be able to refuse to provide abortion or sterilization services. The vague definition could include staff ranging from the receptionist on up, and services such as administering emergency contraceptives and other forms of birth control.
HHS received more than 200,000 comments objecting to the regulation during a required comment period. Ipas and a number of other organizations argued that the regulations are a violation of women's rights to receive accurate, appropriate health care. In January, Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and the state of Connecticut, joined by California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island, all sued the federal government to overturn the rule.
The action by the administration opens a 30-day comment period during which time they will seek input from along the political spectrum.
For more information, contact media@ipas.org