Quantcast Indiana Statesman
College Media Network

Indiana Statesman

Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Ind.

| For ISU students, about ISU students, by ISU students

A STEP TO THE LEFT

Slipping one past the electorate

Michael Millington

Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: Opinion
  • Print
  • Email
In accordance with efforts to protect conscience, the HHS proposal defines abortion as "any of the various procedures-including the prescription, dispensing and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action-that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation." (This includes contraception).

This definition labels a pre-birth entity as a "human being" possessing "life," and bypasses arguments over whether or not life begins at conception.

And to terminate the life of any human being is murder; thus, abortion qualifies as an illegal act.

No constitutional amendment would be necessary to prohibit abortion.

The conscience-based provisions provide a glaring loophole allowing for a direct attack on Roe v. Wade.

The rule's vagueness in regards to defining what constitutes questionable or objectionable services allows for depriving services beyond the act of terminating a pregnancy.

Patients may potentially be denied the right to AIDS testing if the practitioner finds it morally wrong.

Pharmacists can refuse to fill prescriptions, including those for birth control.
Any individual can be denied the right to information regarding alternative treatments, infringing on the right to have voice in what treatment will be applied.
To deny a patient the right to legal services due to a conflict with personal beliefs directly undermines the Bill of Rights.

The separation of Church and State extends beyond legislation.

Federally funded health services, particularly in regards to citizens covered by Medicare and Medicaid, must not be subjected to the moral judgment of health care providers.

The public has the ability to stop this intrusive action from being slipped past the legislative process. Until September 25, HHS will be accepting public comments.

Patients deserve access to any and all health services provided by federal funds and offered by public health centers.

To deny any individual what he or she legally entitled to based on personal notions of morality is, by definition, discrimination. And that is not a matter of conscience.

( Michael Millington is a senior english major. He can be reached at sasedptg@isugw.indstate.edu)
< prev Page 2 of 2

Article Tools

Be the first to comment on this story

  • NOTE: Email address will not be published

Type your comment below (html not allowed)

  I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.

Advertisement

RECENT STORIES WITH VIDEO

Students wear masks for charity

Sycamores improve in loss to No. 4 Northern Iowa

ISU celebrates cultures, heritage

ISU cheers for Obama

Young students vote for president

Local Results

Zeta Tau Alphas name 'Big Man'

ISU cheer team looking for acrobatic females to help root on ISU

Magician mystifies students during show

ASA, SAE win Trike competition Friday

Alumni, students interact at Tent City

Sycamores lose 49-9 to South Dakota State

Sycamores show spirit

Stompin' performers rock Tilson

Big Blue Block Party shows love to women's hoops team

ISU women forego Pre-Nationals to go to Bradley meet, finish third

Miss Gay ISU contestants strive to inspire others

Textiles students present fall fashions Wednesday

Birch Bayh, father of state senator Evan Bayh, speaks at ISU Tuesday

Sophomore Carolyne Holcomb crowned Miss ISU

Forum attendees discuss sexism, race, intolerance

ISU Uncensored - Cracking open banned books

Parents, students join in Family Day events

Video: Saudi National Night

Students, faculty assemble to watch, discuss first presidential debate

Poll

How many games do you think the women's basketball team will win this season?
Submit Vote

View Results

Advertisement