FAQ: How does this current regulation impact access to health care?
How does this current regulation impact access to health care?
Some commentators and abortion special interest groups have suggested that the conscience regulation constituted a conspiracy by the previous Department of Health and Human Services to keep women from obtaining contraception and abortion. That's quite an implausible accusation against an agency that spends billions on family planning programs, including contraception. In 2008 alone-the year the regulation was introduced--HHS budgeted over $1.6 billion for family planning programs.
Abortion advocates also have raised inherently contradictory protests regarding the impact of the regulation on healthcare access. On one hand, they have asserted that the number of health care providers who oppose dispensing contraceptives is very small, restricted to a fringe group of odd-thinking individuals. But in lobbying against the regulation, abortion advocates have contradictorily claimed that such an incredibly large number of health care providers will suddenly refuse to participate in abortion and contraception that it will severely hinder access.
In reality, the effect of rescinding the regulation threatens to cause a crisis of access to health care.
Many healthcare professionals faced with discrimination are likely to choose to leave medicine if forced to choose between their careers or violating cherished ethical standards.
Removing regulatory protections-or perpetuating the lack of awareness of legal protections--for healthcare professionals will have the net effect of decreasing access to healthcare. Consider, for example, estimates that between 15-20% of health care in the U.S. is provided by Catholic institutions, which historically have refused to participate in abortion. Imagine the impact on health care access if those institutions, which reportedly provide care for up to one in six hospital patients, are forced to shut down in order to honor conscience and ethical standards.
