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2 thoughts on “OAFP Releases Statement on the Medical Practitioners Conscience Clause”

  1. It is apparent that the OAFP has joined the other organizations in endorsing the concept that physicians must treat and or participate in treating conditions or requests of patients that would be contrary or against the providers personal ethics or beliefs. It is said to see you endorse ones beliefs or life style overriding the physicians as not worthy.

  2. Federal law already allows a provider to decline to provide a medical service due to objections of conscience, but compels doctors to find another physician to perform the service. This provision removes that requirement, and prevents a practitioner, institution or insurance company from facing any liability for declining to do so.

    The provision casts a wide net. Doctors and nurses can decline to perform necessary procedures, lab techs can refuse to analyze test results or perform screening procedures, insurance companies can refuse to cover a procedure already performed by a doctor, a pharmacist can refuse to dispense birth control even if a patient has a valid prescription, and more.

    Many have expressed concern that this provision would legalize discrimination against LGBTQ patients, minorities, marginalized groups such as those with substance use disorders or a sexually transmitted disease and could prevent women from accessing birth control and other family planning and reproductive health care services.

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