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WASHINGTON - The Bush administration wants to require all recipients of aid under federal health programs to certify that they will not refuse to hire nurses and other providers who object to abortion and even certain types of birth control.
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Under the draft of a proposed rule, hospitals, clinics, researchers and medical schools would have to sign "written certifications" as a prerequisite to getting money under any program run by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Such certification would also be required of state and local governments, forbidden to discriminate, in areas like grant-making, against hospitals and other institutions that have policies against providing abortion.

The proposal, which circulated in the department on Monday, says the new requirement is needed to ensure that federal money does not "support morally coercive or discriminatory practices or policies in violation of federal law." The administration said Congress had passed a number of laws to ensure that doctors, hospitals and health plans would not be forced to perform abortions.

In the proposal, obtained by The New York Times, the administration says it could cut off federal aid to individuals or entities that discriminate against people who object to abortion on the basis of "religious beliefs or moral convictions."

The proposal defines abortion as follows: "any of the various procedures - including the prescription, dispensing and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action - that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation."

Mary Jane Gallagher, president of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, which represents providers, said, "The proposed definition of abortion is so broad that it would cover many types of birth control, including oral contraceptives and emergency contraception."

"We worry that under the proposal, contraceptive services would become less available to low-income and uninsured women," Ms. Gallagher said.

Indeed, among other things the proposal expresses concern about state laws that require hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims who request it.

Nancy Keenan, president of Naral Pro-Choice America, said, "Why on earth is the Bush administration trying to discourage doctors and clinics from providing contraception to women who need it?"

Christina Pearson, a spokeswoman for the department, declined to discuss the draft. "We don't normally comment on whether we are considering changes in regulations," she said

GrahamKennedy wrote:I'd say it was unbelievable, but of course it's perfectly believable that they would do this. They are basically evil.

Mikey wrote:I'm all for non-discrimination, even involving people with whom I disagree; but how can you say you have to hire HEALTH PROFESSIONALS who have a problem with medical procedures?!

BC pills are to this day prescribed fairly often as a treatment for dismennorhea. My faith requires an abortion (if its early enough, of course) if it is determined that carrying will endanger the mother's life. Now, what if a Jewish woman in such a situation actual needs to see a medical facility about it? Now she can't practice her faith? WTF!

Teaos wrote:I wonder if the next administration could or would reverse this kind of thing.

Teaos wrote:I wonder if the next administration could or would reverse this kind of thing.