FRC Welcomes Proposal Protecting Conscience Rights of Health Care Workers |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offered a new proposed
regulation that increases awareness of, and complies with, three statutes
on the books that protect federally funded health care providers' right of
conscience.
Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council released the
following statement:
"It is imperative to protect the fundamental rights of all healthcare
professionals to practice medicine in line with their moral convictions and
ethical standards. Until now regulations had not been issued ensuring the
implementation of numerous laws protecting conscience. The absence of
regulations has resulted in confusion and a lack of awareness within the
medical community regarding their conscience rights, leaving healthcare
personnel vulnerable to discrimination.
"This proposal ensures that doctors and other medical personnel will
retain the constitutional right to listen to their own conscience when it
comes to performing or participating in an abortion. These regulations will
ensure that pro-life medical personnel will not be forced to engage in the
unconscionable killing of innocent human life. Protecting the choice not to
participate in abortions is a huge win for religious freedom and the First
Amendment.
"The Family Research Council believes that the HHS proposal will help
protect religious organizations and individuals. Secretary Michael Leavitt
is to be commended for his courageous stance in protecting the
constitutional guarantee of personal conscience and religious liberty.
"We look forward to filing comments in defense of final regulations
enforcing over three decades of conscience laws."
SOURCE Family Research Council
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CONTACT:
JP Duffy or Maria Donovan, +1-866-FRC-NEWS,
both of Family Research Council
