Conscientious Objectors

By Dana Gentry

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 | 4:12 p.m.

It's tough to take issue with a doctor who is morally opposed to abortion refusing to perform the procedure, especially in a metropolitan area where options abound. But what about the rural Nevada resident who has access to maybe one doctor? Should that doctor be allowed to deny his patient a legal abortion because of his own beliefs? Nevada Assemblyman Garn Maby, who has given up the OB part of his practice but retains the GYN designation, told me after today's program he'd feel no obligation to fulfill that patient's request. "There are consequences to having sex," Maby said.

But there are consequences to smoking, driving too fast and drinking too much. Will physicians next determine patients who engage in these activities are not worthy of treatment? Doubtful. But it's that proverbial "nose under the tent" argument that has organizations like Planned Parenthood of Nevada urging citizens to protest a recent proposal from the Bush administration. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt wants hospitals that receive federal funds to stand by doctors and other workers who refuse to participate in abortions. A recent abstract from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists indicates doctors are bound by an obligtion to their patients, not to their personal beliefs.

Some pharmacists in Nevada have initiated efforts that would allow them to refuse to fill what they find to be objectionable prescriptions, but Dr. Maby discounted Planned Parenthood's concerns that the proposed rules could make some birth control pills more difficult to obtain.

The proposed federal rules, which could pass by October, could be reversed should Barack Obama win the presidential election. John McCain has not taken a position but is expected to make the right to life a tenet of his campaign.

Jon checks in from the Mile High City with County Commission Chairman and Hillary Clinton loyalist Rory Reid, who promises a convincing performance by Clinton when she has her moment in the convention spotlight.