Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Editorials / Opinion


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Editorial

An anti-abortion ploy

Disguised as an employment-discrimination imitative, the Bush administration's proposed funding rule would limit women's reproductive health rights.

The Bush administration has done a poor job of cloaking its latest end run around women's reproductive rights.

A Department of Health and Human Services proposed rule would require health-care providers and other recipients of aid from federal health programs to certify they will not refuse to hire nurses and other providers who object to abortion and some birth control. No certification; no aid.

Administration officials say the rule change is about employment discrimination. No, it clearly is a ploy to limit women's access to reproductive health care. The administration knows attaching strings to funding would have disastrous consequences on access to abortion and contraceptives by women.

The proposed change is worded so broadly the restrictions would extend to oral contraceptives and emergency contraception. Programs such as Medicaid and Title X, which provide family-planning services, could be jeopardized.

Fortunately, Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Hillary Clinton, D-NY, are on the case.

"One of the most troubling aspects of the proposed rules is the overly broad definition of abortion," the senators wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt. "This definition would allow health-care corporations or individuals to classify many common forms of contraception — including the birth-control pill, emergency contraception and IUDs — and therefore to refuse to provide contraception to women who need it."

The senators note such a rule change could even deny access to emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault in hospital emergency rooms.

In its waning days, President Bush should take a break from weakening women's reproductive-health rights.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

NEW - 11:42 AM
Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist: New York trial a propaganda coup for terrrorists

Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: Conflicted about the death penalty — and I'm OK with that

Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist: A politically correct — and dangerous — delicacy about the Fort Hood shooting

Advertising

Video

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors
Interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising