Progress Illinois

In late August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a new Bush-favored regulation to “help protect health care providers from [religious] discrimination." In essence, as many as 584,000 employers -- from major hospitals to doctors' offices and nursing homes -- could lose government funding if they don't certify in writing that they are complying with several federal laws that protect health care workers' "freedom of conscience." The AP has more:

Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said that health care professionals should not face retaliation from employers or from medical societies because they object to abortion.

"Freedom of conscience is not to be surrendered upon issuance of a medical degree," said Leavitt. "This nation was built on a foundation of free speech. The first principle of free speech is protected conscience."

Why would such a provision need to be passed, when providers are already covered under federal amendments and there is no evidence any are being forced to provide abortions under duress? Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says it's all about politics:

“This proposal would put politics above access to critical health-care services,” said Madigan, who urged state legislators to comment against the regulation as well. “At a time when so many Americans are struggling to find affordable health care and millions of women need access to family planning services, this proposal would severely limit women’s ability to obtain needed reproductive health care.”

Gov. Rod Blagojevich also offered his objections in a September 9 letter to HHS Secretary Michael Levitt:

This proposed regulatory change could cause untold harm to 600,000 women in Illinois who are uninsured and depend on government or non-profit healthcare services supported, in part, with federal funds.  If this proposed rule is adopted, a healthcare provider would be able to refuse to tell a vulnerable patient about the range of safe, legal healthcare options available to her.  This proposed rule is not about providers’ consciences, it is about restricting access to healthcare to those in need. 

Madigan and Blagojevich aren't kidding. If passed, health care providers (pharmacists, doctors, nurses and others) could refuse to provide an array of services crucial to women's health -- abortions, family planning services, birth control pills, Plan B emergency contraception, and other forms of contraception. "Protection" would also be extended to anyone who might come into contact with a patient. The Center for American Progress' Jessica Arons writes that "by that logic, an ambulance driver, a receptionist, and even the person who processes health insurance forms might be able to refuse to perform their jobs if related to a health care service they find morally objectionable."

The rule could go into effect after a 30-day comment period, which ends Thursday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expected to decide on the proposal later this fall.