Leavitt says ethics opinion violates physicians' conscience rights

Published: 2008-03-20

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt has expressed concern that an ethics opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists would infringe on the right of physicians to refuse to perform procedures they find objectionable, including abortion. Deirdre McQuade, director of planning and information for the Office of Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, praised Leavitt "for defending federal laws protecting the conscience rights of physicians." The opinion, issued in November, states in part that physicians "have a duty to refer patients in a timely manner to other providers if they do not feel they can in conscience provide the standard reproductive services that patients request." Leavitt urged the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which certifies physicians, to reject it.

Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .