Bush Pushes "Conscience" Regulation

The Bush administration's blitz of midnight legislation continues today, with the passage of "right of conscience" regulation, intended to protect the rights of medical professional to refuse a patient care if it violates their moral or religious beliefs. The controversial rule allows the federal government to cut off funding to hospitals, clinics, state and local governments that do not accommodate such employees. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said the new regulations will allow, "Doctors and other health care providers should not be forced to choose between good professional standing and violating their conscience." The rule is vehemently supported by many conservative and pro-life groups and just as hotly opposed by pro-choice and women's rights organization. The American Medical Association, 28 senators and more than 110 House members have come out against the regulation because, they say, it will create obstacles abortion, family planning and end-of-life among other medical services. The issue will be a thorny one for the Obama administration, and may affect future legislation concerning stem cell research.