In early March, the Obama administration published in the Federal Register a proposal to rescind protections for medical centers and health care professionals who do not want to do abortions.  Although federal “conscience clause” laws already existed, in the last weeks of his term, President Bush instituted Provider Conscience Clause rules to establish stronger protections ensuring that medical centers and staff were not forced to participate in abortions. 

            Initially, Obama officials had said the President merely wanted to clarify the rules, but it is now clear that the administration intends to rescind the protections entirely.

            Without any evidence, the Obama administration claims that the protective regulations “create confusion” and hinder access to health care.  David Stevens, the head of the Christian Medical Association, argues, “What can be clearer than not using federal funds to force health care professionals to violate longstanding principles of medical ethics like the Hippocratic Oath, which has guided medicine for over two millennia?”

            Christian Legal Society attorney Casey Mattox asserts, “Medical professionals should not be forced to perform abortions against their consciences.  Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and their pro-abortion allies are seeking to punish pro-life medical professionals for their beliefs … and to compel workers to perform abortions or face dire consequences.”  Senator Tom Coburn (Oklahoma), an OBGYN, said he will join tens of thousands of other medical professionals who would rather go to jail than be forced to do abortions.

            In opposing the repeal, Chuck Colson observes, “In a country that treasures freedom, what could possibly justify compelling people to violate their consciences?  Freedom of conscience is the first freedom.  And people who can be compelled to act in violation of their most deeply held convictions are not free in any meaningful sense.”

            “For President Obama to do this would be a huge blow to religious freedom and First Amendment rights.  No one should be forced to have an abortion, and no one should be forced to be an abortionist in violation of their religious or ethical convictions,” said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council.

            The publication of the Obama proposal opens up a 30-day public comment period, after which he is expected to cancel the protections.  Pro-lifers may voice objections to the removal of the pro-life protections, asking that the existing regulations be maintained, by emailing their opinions to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it