Slate Opinion Piece Claims Freedom Of Choice Act Could Have Far-Reaching Impact

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 26 Nov 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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Roman Catholic bishops' warning at their fall meeting earlier this month that Catholic hospitals might be forced to perform abortions if President-elect Barack Obama signs the Freedom of Choice Act, as he promised to do in 2007, is not just a "ludicrous line," Melinda Henneberger -- a Slate contributor and author -- writes in an opinion piece. According to Henneberger, the "bishops are not bluffing when they say they'd turn out the lights rather than comply." Obama has said that he would sign FOCA -- which would codify abortion rights found in Roe v. Wade -- if Congress passes it.

Henneberger writes that although it is not clear whether congressional Democrats would have the votes to pass the act, "those who argue that FOCA poses no actual threat to Catholic hospitals are not so laid back when it comes to assessing the threat that conscience laws supposedly pose to clinics."

Henneberger writes that although abortion was not a prominent issue in the election campaign, "the pro-life argument that [Obama] was the candidate most likely to decrease the need for -- and number of -- abortions did make it easier for many Catholics to cast their votes for him. I think we should hold him to that commitment now." She concludes, "By supporting and signing the current version of FOCA, Obama would reignite the culture war he so deftly sidestepped throughout this campaign. This is a fight he just doesn't need at a moment when there is no shortage of other crises to manage" (Henneberger, Slate, 11/24).

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