HHS Secretary Criticizes Medical Board's Abortion Rights Position

Last Friday, U.S. Health and Human Services Director Mike Leavitt sent a letter (full text) to the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology objecting to its apparent policy of requiring physicians who wish to maintain their Board certification to comply with ethics rules of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In November 2007, ACOG's Ethics Committee issued a report titled The Limits of Conscience Refusal in Reproductive Medicine. It conclude that physicians who have conscientious objections to performing abortions or other standard reproductive services "have the duty to refer patients in a timely manner to other providers." Leavitt said:

I am concerned that the actions taken by ACOG and ABOG could result in the denial or revocation of Board certification of a physician who -- but for his or her refusal, for example, to refer a patient for an abortion -- would be certified. These actions, in turn, could result in certain HHS-funded State and local governments, institutions, or other entities that require Board certification taking action against the physician based just on the Board's denial or revocation of certification. In particular, I am concerned that such actions by these entities would violate federal laws against discrimination.

Yesterday the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice issued a press release strongly criticizing Sec. Leavitt's letter, saying: "Secretary Leavitt's dogmatic indifference to the patient is bad medicine, misguided ethics, and political pandering. A great nation must make room for diverse beliefs--especially a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom."