Religious freedom vs. patient rights?

The Washington Post reports on a proposed regulation that would deny federal funding to health-care facilities that do not accommodate workers who object to providing abortion and birth-control services:

"Conservative groups, abortion opponents and some members of Congress are welcoming the initiative as necessary to safeguard doctors, nurses and other health workers who, they say, are increasingly facing discrimination because of their beliefs or are being coerced into delivering services they find repugnant. But the draft proposal has sparked intense criticism by family planning advocates, women's health activists, and members of Congress who say the regulation would create overwhelming obstacles for women seeking abortions and birth control."

The New York Times previously took a look at the proposed policy.

Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement earlier this month defending what he called "conscience protection:"

“Patients with pro-life convictions, including women who require a physician’s care for themselves and their unborn children during pregnancy, deserve ‘access’ to health care professionals who do not have contempt for their religious and moral convictions or for the lives of their children.”

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