"Conscience" Clauses May Well Hurt More Than They Help

Here’s a good piece my colleague Burke Balch that “conscience clauses” don’t necessarily mean something good. The piece also addresses some issues related to futile care.

SOME “CONSCIENCE” LAWS AUTHORIZE INVOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA

Pro-life people are conditioned to think positively of “conscience” laws because we want to protect health care personnel from being forced to participate in abortion or to assist suicides. Indeed, laws that are narrowly drawn to cover such cases, or that have language adequately protecting against denial of lifesaving medical treatment based on age, disability, or other “quality of life” factors, are worthy of support. more

Coming Soon: Doctors To Be In trouble If They Won't Kill Their Patients

Yes, folks, this is where we are: The pro-deathers are pushing the idea that if a patient wants euthanasia, then who the hell are doctors to disagree? In other words, if you’re a doctor and you conscience determines that you shouldn’t kill your patients, you will have no choice but to listen to your patient - or get in trouble.

Does the Health Care Bill Violate 'Rights of Conscience'?

Now that there's a new Congress in session, there is renewed concern whether 'Rights of Conscience' of health care workers will continue to be protected under the new Health Care Bill. more

Aussie Doctors Opposed To Assisted Suicide Already Caving In?

Well, yes, once you legalize assisted suicide there’s no going back. What’s more interesting in this story is that doctors opposing assisted suicide are already seeking a “conscience clause” allowing them to opt out of killing people if assisted suicide becomes legal in Aussie. My take is that they know that sooner or later, legal it will be, and they want to be sure that they’re not forced to help people kick the bucket.

Docs in ‘no going back’ suicide fear

DOCTORS leaders yesterday warned there will be "no going back" if the law is changed to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland.

They also called for conscientious objectors among the medical profession to be allowed to "opt out" of the process. more