Michigan Preparing To Let Doctors Refuse To Treat Gays

[Roy Fokker]

Doctors or other health care providers could not be disciplined or sued if they refuse to treat gay patients under legislation passed Wednesday by the Michigan House.

The bill allows health care workers to refuse service to anyone on moral, ethical or religious grounds.

The Republican dominated House passed the measure as dozens of Catholics looked on from the gallery. The Michigan Catholic Conference, which pushed for the bills, hosted a legislative day for Catholics on Wednesday at the state Capitol.

The bills now go the Senate, which also is controlled by Republicans.

The Conscientious Objector Policy Act would allow health care providers to assert their objection within 24 hours of when they receive notice of a patient or procedure with which they don't agree. However, it would prohibit emergency treatment to be refused.

Three other three bills that could affect LGBT health care were also passed by the House Wednesday which would exempt a health insurer or health facility from providing or covering a health care procedure that violated ethical, moral or religious principles reflected in their bylaws or mission statement.

Opponents of the bills said they're worried they would allow providers to refuse service for any reason. For example, they said an emergency medical technicians could refuse to answer a call from the residence of gay couple because they don't approve of homosexuality.

Rep. Chris Kolb (D-Ann Arbor) the first openly gay legislator in Michigan, pointed out that while the legislation prohibits racial discrimination by health care providers, it doesn't ban discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation.

"Are you telling me that a health care provider can deny me medical treatment because of my sexual orientation? I hope not," he said.

"I think it's a terrible slippery slope upon which we embark," said Rep. Jack Minore (D-Flint) before voting against the bill.

Paul A. Long, vice president for public policy for the Michigan Catholic Conference, said the bills promote the constitutional right to religious freedom.

"Individual and institutional health care providers can and should maintain their mission and their services without compromising faith-based teaching," he said in a written statement.

@: http://www.proudparenting.com/page.cfm?Sectionid=65&typeofsite=snippetdetail&ID=1204&snippetset=yes

:stone

[Boston1]

because someone else is asserting thier rights? Let's take a breath and thank goodness for anonymous forums and the outlet they provide. I'm a new nurse, I love nursing...but man am I frustrated by the things nurses do to each other :) Thanks for writing.

My problem is with those evil despicable heterosexuals. They get special rights and tax breaks and use up all the valuable worldly resources for these disgusting children that they insist on having....products of their own immoral lifestyles. Why do they have to force their disgraceful ways on us, by KISSING in public and bringing their children out with them, flaunting themselves? And they are always trying to push this proheterosexual agenda and force us to support their terrible lifestyle.

**********************************************************

************Trying hard not to laugh and wondering how many will take me seriously*********

[talaxandra]

The terms 'pro-abortion' and 'pro-homosexual' make it sound as though there's a group of people trying to make people have abortions or change their sexual orientation, in this case 'Catholics and other Christians'.

Well, what a lot has changed between when I read this thread and when I completed my post. Apparently there's a group of radical homosexuals whose membership is fact do want to convert straight Christians to a gay lifestyle. I stand corrected.

[Boston1]

I work overnight, and I've got to get to bed - but I assume everyone likes something of an immediate response to their post - my immediate response?

You're kidding!

You wrote - "The terms 'pro-abortion' and 'pro-homosexual' make it sound as though there's a group of people trying to make people have abortions or change their sexual orientation, in this case 'Catholics and other Christians'.

Are you not aware of the individuals that call themselves Catholics and Christians and the HUGE MARKET for materials that are designed to draw individuals to "abortions" and an "appreciation" for "alternative sexual orientation" - all for profit? Are you not aware of whose driving those markets? Seriously, my question addresses only your knowledge of whether or not there is a HUGE movement by a small movement to "convert" "Christians" to their "non-Christian" beliefs? It's a 'yes' or 'no'. Do Good. Boston1 :)

The terms 'pro-abortion' and 'pro-homosexual' make it sound as though there's a group of people trying to make people have abortions or change their sexual orientation, in this case 'Catholics and other Christians'.

The central tenet of their ideology is, as you point out, tolerance - the idea that we don't all have to be the same to get along together. This means that nobody has any objection to you not having an abortion, or you being heterosexual.

The key difference between this legislation and existing conscientious objection legislation is that performing an abortion (or hanging blood) is an event, with a begining, duration and end. A health care provider can abstain from being involved with abortion procedures, hanging blood, or (I guess) administering porcine insulin.

A persons' sexual identity is not confined to a timeframe. It is. To use the above analogies, applying conscientious objector status here would mean that my beliefs as a Christian (that abortion is the taking of a human life and therefore contravenes the word of God) allowed me to deny care to anyone who has had an abortion. That my beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness (that receiving blood products contravenes the word of God) allowed me to deny care to anyone who has received blood. That my beliefs as a Jew or Muslim (that consuming the flesh of unclean animals contravenes the word of God) allowed me to deny care to anyone who has diabetes and uses/used porrcine insulin. Even if this sinful (according to my beliefs) activity is unrelated to their reason for admission.

I have a moral objection to rape. I think rapists are vile, and sinful. I do not like them. The idea of them makes me angry, and queasy, and afraid.

However, I do not think that providing essential care (including non-emergency care) is tantamount to endorcing rape. I do not think that my beliefs mean that I can refuse to provide care to a rapist. I won't like it, I will not enjoy it, and I will not be friendly. But I will provide the same basic care as I would to any other patient.

* Please note that the example of a rapist is used because I have the same repugnance for rape as I believe many conservatives have to the idea of abortion and/or homosexuality. It is not meant to imply any omparision between rape and any sexual practice between consenting adults. Thank you.*

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

because someone else is asserting thier rights? Let's take a breath and thank goodness for anonymous forums and the outlet they provide. I'm a new nurse, I love nursing...but man am I frustrated by the things nurses do to each other :) Thanks for writing.

But as I see it, Christians and Heterosexuals are trying to "force their beliefs" on those that are not of their ilk.

Why are you upset at them asserting their rights.

And this has nothing to do with "nursing and what nurses do to each other. It has to do with life and what people to do each other. Life, in general must be quite frustrating for someone, that only sees their own rights in a power struggle and not anyone else's.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

however, there is a RADICAL movement of homosexuals that wants to impose their beliefs on everyone, would you agree?

No, i wouldn't.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Life, in general must be quite frustrating for someone, that only sees their own rights in a power struggle and not anyone else's.

Thank you.

[talaxandra]

Are you not aware of the individuals that call themselves Catholics and Christians and the HUGE MARKET for materials that are designed to draw individuals to "abortions" and an "appreciation" for "alternative sexual orientation" - all for profit? Are you not aware of whose driving those markets? Seriously, my question addresses only your knowledge of whether or not there is a HUGE movement by a small movement to "convert" "Christians" to their "non-Christian" beliefs? It's a 'yes' or 'no'.

Although I am aware that some Christian denominations actively try to convert non-Christians, I haven't heard of the 'huge' movement you describe, or in fact of any movement like this at all.

I'm not sure why 'abortions' is put in quotation marks, or why you write 'Catholics and other Christians', but I'm more interested in whether your objection is to the alleged movement or to the fact that is allegedly run for a profit.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Are you not aware of the individuals that call themselves Catholics and Christians and the HUGE MARKET for materials that are designed to draw individuals to "abortions" and an "appreciation" for "alternative sexual orientation" - all for profit? Are you not aware of whose driving those markets? Seriously, my question addresses only your knowledge of whether or not there is a HUGE movement by a small movement to "convert" "Christians" to their "non-Christian" beliefs?

Kind of like the huge number of Christians that proselytize, going so far as to interrupt the privacy of others by going door to door to convert people. The ones barring education of our children to evolution or to legitmate education on their anatomy. Or the ones that try to ban birth control in any form for anyone. Or the ones that send out form letters to my door, come through my TV and are on the radio every day and yet plead poverty. You mean the people that try to force the local courthouse put up a symbol of their relegion on the grounds at certain times of the year, but bar any other religions symbols. That legitimise one beliefs marraige but refuse to recognize any other form of family.

The organizations that use our services but do not pay taxes.

You know, I have never had a flaming Lesbian wake me up in midafternoon nap by knocking on my door unsolicited to try and convince me to sleep with a man and get pregnant just to have an abortion.

But I have had plenty of Christians try to convince me that I am tainted irrevocably with original sin, and that if I don't get down on my knees accept Jesus as my lord and savior, right now, that I am going to Hell. Oh, and that the Rapture is coming.

[Chad_KY_SRNA]

To be a quality healthcare provider, you have to put your personal beliefs aside and provide care to whomever needs that care. If they begin discussing their sexual orientation make them aware that you respect their beliefs but you prefer not to discuss it with them. I see it as none of my business because it doesn't directly affect patient care. Have a nice day.

[Nurse212]

There is a magical saying that should be present in the minds of all who even consider refusing to treat a person that is Gay/Lesbian or any other preference and that phrase is simple:

GOD LOVES the SINNER but HATES the SIN.

Before anything else, medical practioners should consider the fact that they have taken an oath to preserve life, not to preserve a way of life or to go against the preference in someone's life. Before we treat a Gay/Lesbian/Straight person, let us remember that we are treating a human being that like anyone else that walks into a hospital deserves the right to live.

What a shame it is that society at times can steep so low,

NURSE212

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Before anything else, medical practioners should consider the fact that they have taken an oath to preserve life, not to preserve a way of life or to go against the preference in someone's life. Before we treat a Gay/Lesbian/Straight person, let us remember that we are treating a human being that like anyone else that walks into a hospital deserves the right to live.

Well said!

[talaxandra]

Before anything else, medical practioners should consider the fact that they have taken an oath to preserve life, not to preserve a way of life or to go against the preference in someone's life. Before we treat a Gay/Lesbian/Straight person, let us remember that we are treating a human being that like anyone else that walks into a hospital deserves the right to live.

:yeahthat: