Proposed HHS Rule Is 'Sneak Attack On Family Planning,' Editorial Says

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Abortion
Article Date: 25 Sep 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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A proposed HHS rule masquerading as a measure to "protect health care providers from 'morally coercive or discriminatory practices'" is a "sneak attack on family planning by the Bush administration," a Los Angeles Times editorial says.

According to the Times, the rule is being put forward even though providers who do not want to provide certain procedures, such as abortion or sterilization, have been "protected from discrimination by the federal Church amendments since the 1970s." The rule is an "attempt to roll back the clock on reproductive rights to the early 1960s, when doctors could be arrested for selling contraceptives even to married couples," the editorial says, adding that it would cause couples to "share the decision about whether to have children with a pharmacist at CVS, a volunteer at a federally funded clinic or a second-year medical resident."

HHS will decide whether to enact the rule after the public comment period ends Friday, the Times says, adding that Democratic leaders are "vigorously opposing the change." Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) has "protested" the rule, and Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) has been "conspicuously silent" on the rule, according to the Times. If the rule "goes into effect, 98% of women of childbearing age will be looking to the next president to defend their rights and void this rule," the editorial concludes (Los Angeles Times, 9/24).

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