Thread: Christian Doctors Angry Over "Conscience Rule" Reversal

I think you are severely underestimating the amount of difficulty that is caused for a young person or a poor person who has to travel a hundred miles to get a prescription filled, especially if time is a crucial factor (as it is with emergency contraception). Even then, you are assuming that even if one doctor/pharmacist/etc. refuses to provide service, the patient will automatically know where to go to find someone who won't refuse. One of the things that the "conscience clause" allows health care workers to do is refuse to provide a referral someone who will perform the service. It's not like a patient who is refused service can necessarily just say "Okay fine, I'll just drive over to Dr. Smith in Springville, he'll do it." They may well not have any idea which other doctors/pharmacists/etc. would be willing to provide service, and in a rural area (which tend to be conservative), it's quite likely that they could have a very hard time finding one even if they do spend all day driving around for hours going to all the area's various far-flung pharmacies or doctor's offices or whatever.

Originally Posted by Syme

I think you are severely underestimating the amount of difficulty that is caused for a young person or a poor person who has to travel a hundred miles to get a prescription filled, especially if time is a crucial factor (as it is with emergency contraception). Even then, you are assuming that even if one doctor/pharmacist/etc. refuses to provide service, the patient will automatically know where to go to find someone who won't refuse. One of the things that the "conscience clause" allows health care workers to do is refuse to provide a referral someone who will perform the service. It's not like a patient who is refused service can necessarily just say "Okay fine, I'll just drive over to Dr. Smith in Springville, he'll do it." They may well not have any idea which other doctors/pharmacists/etc. would be willing to provide service, and in a rural area (which tend to be conservative), it's quite likely that they could have a very hard time finding one even if they do spend all day driving around for hours going to all the area's various far-flung pharmacies or doctor's offices or whatever.

I was not aware of the referral refusal section of the conscience clause. I think that should be abolished. In fact, I think that referral to someone who will should be mandatory. That seems like a fair compromise that allows doctors to keep their personal integrity while also not inhibiting the rights of those who need the services they won't give.

I will admit I am kind of baffled by the notion that someone wouldn't be able to find another doctor. There are phone books and phones to call around to find what you need. If I recall correctly, I think you have 24 hours after sex before the morning-after pill is no longer effective. I think that gives people plenty of time to make proper arrangements. Of course, there is the issue that people may be too poor or dumb to do these things, but as I stated before I am not of the belief that policy should cater to the lowest common denominator at the expense of someone else.

Originally Posted by sycld

which again I mentioned in my post

Heh, missed that part. I read first two paragraphs then made a post because of them, then forgot to go back and read the rest.