Reproductive Freedom in Danger, Redux: Republicans Think the Exam Table is a Soapbox

 

Bad news, everyone.  Mike Leavitt, Bush's Secretary for Health & Human Services, thinks that a physician's job includes helping to make a "social statement" by denying care to women in need.  On the possibility that an upcoming potential regulation from HHS would lead to a great number of doctors refusing to (1) perform abortions or (2) prescribe contraceptives, Leavitt offers this:

That hasn’t happened, but what if it did? Wouldn’t that be an important and legitimate social statement?

No.  It's not "legitimate" for doctors to proselytize to the same vulnerable women that they're licensed and trusted to care for.  Doctors are asked to care for patients in an open-minded manner that leaves the patient, guided by the doctor's objective wisdom, in control, principles that HHS would run roughshod over.  ScienceBlogger PalMD, a practicing physician and good friend, has this to say on a similar issue:

For a physician to deny a patient care based on their own beliefs is a cop-out, and is a coercive use of their paternalistic powers. This decision doesn't just deny them your personal services. It may cause permanent psychological harm to the patient. And that's not what doctoring is all about.

Just so.  The Hippocratic Oath does not read, "first, make a social statement."  Let this be a reminder to us about what we get when we elect Republicans. They may act cute and cuddly now, and promise no litmus tests for judges, and pretend that they might choose pro-choice running mates, but that’s the general election.  Once in office, from any Republican president, you can expect more stunts placing ideology over responsible medicine.  Remember that on November 4th. I'm looking at you, swing voters & PUMAs.  You can't afford to support the other side, or sit this one out.

Read more:

• Fellow YtD'er JennyJinxed examines why this should make us worry about McCain.
• Rock-star ScienceBlog Pharyngula on the subject.
• More from me on this latest development, including what the Supreme Court won't do about it.
• How the law works - focus on the old regulation which HHS is now deciding to enforce.