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Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008

Federal rule change proposal threatens women’s health care choices

A rule proposal under the Bush Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services could severely curtail health and reproductive choices for women.

The proposal would essentially broaden the definition of abortion to include the use of contraceptives.  This very broad definition would allow health-care corporations or individuals to classify many common types of birth control as abortions. The proposal is under review and not yet in effect.

Senator Ron Wyden has sent a letter—co-signed by 27 of his Senate colleagues—to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, asking for him to abandon the policy change. The proposal would have the effect of encouraging health-care institutions and individuals to refuse to provide birth control to patients who need it.

The rule would also effect the nation’s 500,000 hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities that accept federal funding. Federal rules require facilities which collect public money to certify that they comply with standards relating to abortion.   Expanding the definition of abortion in this way would jeopardize billions of dollars in federal funding.

Read more in The Oregonian and The Register Guard.