Bush Administration Could Still Have Negative Impact On Abortion Rights, New York Times Editorial Says

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 05 Nov 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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Although President Bush only has 77 days left in his presidency, his aides "have been scrambling to change rules and regulations" on issues such as abortion rights, civil liberties and the environment, and "few" of their actions are "for the good," a New York Times editorial says.

For example, the editorial says that HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt soon after the Nov. 4 election is expected to issue a new rule that intends to further limit women's access to abortion, contraception and information about their reproductive health care options. The editorial adds that although existing law permits physicians and nurses to refuse to participate in an abortion, the changes "would extend the so-called right to refuse to a wide range of health care workers and activities including abortion referrals, unbiased counseling and provision of birth control pills or emergency contraception, even for rape victims."

According to the editorial, "Most presidents put on a last-minute policy stamp, but in Mr. Bush's case, it is more like a wrecking ball. We fear it could take months, or years, for the next president to identify and then undo all the damages" (New York Times, 11/4).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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