GOP Push Another Abortion Restriction

Despite this country’s crushing need for job creation Republicans can’t seem to take their attention away from the abortion debate. Just after they dropped their bid to restrict federal funding of abortions for only those cases of “forcible rape” they pick up a new, more insidious means of trying to restrict women’s access to abortion.

H.R. 358 would immunize hospitals, medical clinics and health workers from suit for refusing to perform abortions. This expanded conscious clause or “nondiscrimination on abortion” provision is part of the nine-page Protect Life Act, an amendment to the Affordable Care Act. Known as the “Pitts amendment” because it was introduced by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), it is the latest in a serious of bold steps against choice taken by the current Republican leadership.

Currently, any patient with an emergency medical condition who goes to a hospital participating in Medicare must be treated. That stabilizing treatment could include an abortion depending on the health emergency of the mother. If the hospital can’t provide the treatment it must refer the patient to a facility that can.

The Pitts amendment would do away with this requirement. That means hospitals and doctors could continue to receive public aid while discriminating against women in the delivery of health services. Pitts makes no exception for requiring hospitals and staff to perform an abortion or refer a patient out if required if the life of the mother is at risk. If enacted the Pitts amendment will codify the practice of taking away the ability of a woman to make her own medical decisions, even and especially in a time of emergency, for the preference of a religious bias against abortion.

Abortion is a safe, legal and oftentimes medically necessary procedure. Under no circumstances should health care practitioners be shielded from actions that could kill. And that’s exactly what Pitts does.

photo courtesy of romytetue via Flickr

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Tricia H.

12:51PM PST on Mar 7, 2011

I think this is a Great Idea. People have the right to do what THEY think is right in their heart, whether is is marriage with 2 same sex, or this. Shame on people who think they can ruin other peoples lives or decide on such a personal decision.

send a green star

Barbara E.

9:05PM PST on Feb 21, 2011

noted

Quanta K.

2:52AM PST on Feb 15, 2011

thanks for the info

Ed A.

6:59AM PST on Feb 12, 2011

Restrictions? I thought thats what the Obama team was all about.
We should all get on board!

pam w.

8:14AM PST on Feb 11, 2011

If your idea of a "child" is an insentient, unformed clump of embryonic cells...you're entitled to that opinion.

Just understand that you don't get to impose that opinion on the rest of us.

Yvonne S.

7:14AM PST on Feb 11, 2011

Never mind how people "dress it up" abortion is still the murder of an unborn child.

Susanne R.

9:46PM PST on Feb 10, 2011

I wonder if the GOP would support an expanded conscious clause that would immunize hospitals, medical clinics and health workers from suit for refusing to treat men who visit the emergency room seeking relief from a four-hour Viagra-induced erection or the temporary blindness and/or deafness the drug can cause? You'll never see that happen! But they would consider allowing the medical establishment to refuse treatment to the woman accompanying him --even if she's walking like someone who just gave birth or just got off a horse...

Louis F.

7:02AM PST on Feb 10, 2011

If MEN are going to pass legislation about "bodies", they should focus on male bodies, not women bodies. Regarding abortion, they should require that sexually-active men cut off their balls! Same result.

Frank S.

5:53AM PST on Feb 10, 2011

Another republican "family values hypocrite," bites the dust over sex scandal?

Rep. Christopher Lee Resigns From Congress After Flash Scandal

Categories: Congress, Scandal
by Frank James

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/02/10/133648332/rep-christopher-lee-resigns-from-congress-after-non-sex-scandal

April T.

5:39PM PST on Feb 9, 2011

Genuine contraception failure, huh? Are you going to have a ringside seat in every woman's bedroom when they have sex to see if birth control was indeed used for this purpose to make sure according to you that it is o.k for the woman to get an abortion?! WTF! It is not your decision, get it?! The woman seeking an abortion - that is whose choice it is! No one has a right to tell others what to do with their bodies!