Hayashi legislation in response to controversial medical 'conscience rule'
California Political Desk
January 15, 2009
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward), in response to the ´right of conscience´ regulation just issued by the Bush Administration, introduced Assembly Bill 120 today to ensure women in California have all the information they need to make informed reproductive choices.
"California licenses healthcare practitioners to ensure patient safety," Hayashi said. "The personal views of providers should not interfere with the reproductive rights of women and families."
The Bush Administration believes that the conscience rule, which takes effect in mid-January, protects the right of medical providers to care for their patients in accord with their conscience. This new rule extends to all health care professionals and does not specify which services may be denied – providers may not only refuse to assist in abortion related activities, but may also withhold information and access to birth control and other family planning services. Critics contend that this policy change is ill-conceived and will lead to a confrontation between patients´ rights and providers´ rights.
A.B. 120 requires doctors, nurses, and physician assistants in California to fully disclose all reproductive options to a patient and declares legislative intent that a healthcare licensee may not withhold services or information from a patient. The bill provides that failure to fulfill this duty, as specified, constitutes professional misconduct. The licensee is then subject to discipline by the appropriate state licensing board.
"California licenses healthcare practitioners to ensure patient safety," Hayashi said. "The personal views of providers should not interfere with the reproductive rights of women and families."
The Bush Administration believes that the conscience rule, which takes effect in mid-January, protects the right of medical providers to care for their patients in accord with their conscience. This new rule extends to all health care professionals and does not specify which services may be denied – providers may not only refuse to assist in abortion related activities, but may also withhold information and access to birth control and other family planning services. Critics contend that this policy change is ill-conceived and will lead to a confrontation between patients´ rights and providers´ rights.
A.B. 120 requires doctors, nurses, and physician assistants in California to fully disclose all reproductive options to a patient and declares legislative intent that a healthcare licensee may not withhold services or information from a patient. The bill provides that failure to fulfill this duty, as specified, constitutes professional misconduct. The licensee is then subject to discipline by the appropriate state licensing board.
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