NOW - NEW YORK STATE OPPOSE MEMO
S-01873 (Maltese) - Allows Physicians to Withhold Reproductive Health Services
March 2005
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Under this piece of legislation, physicians can not only refuse to perform abortions, life-sustaining medical treatment, assistance with contraception choices, but may also refuse to provide further information, resources or referrals to the patient, based solely on their personal beliefs and values. Such legislation is not supported by legitimate health concerns and explicitly ignores the concerns and well being of the patient.
While personal and religious beliefs should be respected, they should not be allowed to disrupt the medical process or impede a patient’s access to abortion services, contraception or family planning information. Ordinary work places are not forced to hire people who will not do the job or part of it because it is against their religious beliefs. There is no reason that this situation should be different. When licensing, the State should not make exceptions concerning professional conduct. A physician’s refusal to refer another person for assistance or information will severely restrict a woman’s ability to carefully consider all of the health care options that are available and to make a fully informed decision. Many women in rural areas have few options for a physician.
This legislation allows the private beliefs of one person to dictate the medical options that are available to another. In some cases, the only physicians willing to provide reproductive health information and services would fall outside of a woman’s insurance coverage, forcing her to pay unreasonable rates or forego medical attention altogether.
The National Organization for Women - New York State, Inc. oppose any limitation on a woman’s access to reproductive health services and strongly urges the NYS Legislature to oppose S01873 and protect a woman’s right to choose safe and legal abortions.
Marcia A. Pappas, President, NOW-NYS, Inc.
Lori Gardner, Executive VP
Barbara Kirkpatrick, Legislative Vice President
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