Physicians Applaud Move to Revoke HHS ‘Conscience’ Rule

“We are thrilled that President Obama took the first steps today to ensure that our patients’ health is once again protected.”

New York, NY—President Obama today asked the Department of Health and Human Services to revoke a so-called “conscience” rule issued in the last days of the Bush administration. The regulation expanded federal protections for medical workers who objected to providing certain health services, including abortion and some forms of contraception. Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH) led a coalition of medical organizations who protested the proposed rule, and urged him to rescind the regulations. Hundreds of PRCH’s physician members voiced their opposition to the HHS regulations during the public comment period in September 2008.

In response to today’s announcement, PRCH released the following statement from board chair Suzanne T. Poppema, MD:

“Kudos to President Obama for placing good healthcare above ideological demands. Physicians across the country were outraged when the Bush administration, in its final days, limited women’s access to reproductive healthcare. Hundreds of doctors protested these midnight regulations and urged President Obama to repeal them quickly. We are thrilled that President Obama took the first steps today to ensure that our patients’ health is once again protected.

“Existing federal law already protects physicians who object to providing certain medical services. However, as every doctor learns in medical school, a physician’s beliefs should not trump a patient’s right to complete information about treatment options. We will continue to speak up in support of women’s right to a full range of reproductive healthcare—including abortion and contraception—during the coming comment period.”