A 19 year old girl who was seriously injured in a car crash in October, 2011, narrowly escaped having vital organs removed for transplant following what appears to have been a misdiagnosis by attending physicians. After consulting with the family, they removed a respirator and ceased treatment. However, the girl regained consciousness as they were preparing to harvest her organs. [Medical Daily]
Abortion described as a “right”
In a commentary on CBC Radio, Canada’s publicly funded state broadcaster, Prince Edward Island University professor Richard Raiswell asserted that “abortion is a medically necessary, essential health care service” and insisted that all Canadian women have a “right” to the service. Since the province does not provide abortion on the island, Raiswell argues that women who have to leave the island to obtain the procedure “are being denied access to safe medical care.” He suggested that that is illegal. [CBC Radio]
Over 100 plaintiffs in lawsuits against U.S. government birth control mandate
The Becket Fund reports that more than 100 plaintiffs have now joined lawsuits against the federal government as a result of an administration regulation that forces employers to provide insurance for birth control and sterilization even if they object for reasons of conscience. [Becket Fund HHS Page]
Ethicist supports “positive” eugenics: likens current practice to Nazi policies
Julian Savulescu, an ethicist at the University of Oxford, argues that the current practice of using prenatal screening and abortion to eliminate embryos suspected of having disabilities or diseases is akin to Nazi eugenic policies, which were also directed at eliminating the ‘unfit.’ He supports the use of prenatal testing to identify and destroy embryos with disease or disabilities as long as it is understood that this implies nothing about the moral status of disabled people, but argues that people should also be able to select for desirable characteristics, like intelligence or sex. His position is that “freedom of reproduction” can be restricted “for social purposes,” but only if the purposes are “uncontroversially good,” the restrictions are necessary, and that no less restrictive policies would be workable. [News Limited]
Support access to health care? Protect conscience rights.
Catholic Organizations Respond to HHS “Preventive Services” Mandate
We, the undersigned, strongly support access to life-affirming health care for all, and the ability of secular and religious groups and individuals to provide and receive such care. That is why we have raised objections to a rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services forcing almost all private health plans to cover sterilization procedures and contraceptive drugs, including drugs that may cause an early abortion.
As written, the rule will force Catholic organizations that play a vital role in providing health care and other needed services either to violate their conscience or severely curtail those services. This would harm both religious freedom and access to health care.
The HHS mandate puts many faith-based organizations and individuals in an untenable position. But it also harms society as a whole by undermining a long American tradition of respect for religious liberty and freedom of conscience. In a pluralistic society, our health care system should respect the religious and ethical convictions of all. We ask Congress, the Administration, and our fellow Americans to acknowledge this truth and work with us to reform the law accordingly.
Robert B. Aguirre, President Catholic Association of Latino Leaders
Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight Knights of Columbus
F. DeKarlos Blackmon, OblSB, Supreme Knight/CEO Knights of Peter Claver
William J. Cox, President/CEO Alliance of Catholic Health Care
Michael Galligan-Stierle, PhD, President/CEO Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
John Garvey, JD, President The Catholic University of America
Sheila Gilbert, President National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul
John M. Haas, PhD, STL, President National Catholic Bioethics Center
Ken Hackett, President Catholic Relief Services
Jan R. Hemstad, MD, President Catholic Medical Association
Rev. John Jenkins, CSC, President University of Notre Dame
Patty Johnson, President National Council of Catholic Women
James G. Lindsay, Executive Director Catholic Volunteer Network
Stephen L. Mikochik, JD, Chair National Catholic Partnership on Disability
Karen M. Ristau, EdD, President National Catholic Educational Association
Geralyn C. Shelvin, Supreme Lady Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary
Rev. Larry Snyder, President Catholic Charities USA
Joanne Tomassi, National Regent Catholic Daughters of the Americas
The Most Rev. José Gomez Archbishop of Los Angeles Chairman , Migration and Refugee Services
The Most Rev. Timothy Dolan Archbishop of New York President United States Conference of Catholic Bishops