WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to repeal a Bush administration rule that has become a flash point in the debate over a doctor’s right not to participate in abortions.
The regulation, instituted in the last days of the Bush administration, strengthened job protections for doctors and nurses who refuse to provide a medical service because of moral qualms.
A Health and Human Services official said Friday that the administration will publish notice of its intentions early next week, opening a 30-day comment period for advocates on both sides, medical groups and the public.
The Bush administration rule was challenged in federal court by several states and medical organizations. As a candidate, Obama criticized the regulation and campaign aides promised that if elected, he would review it.
“It would be a horrible move. These regulations were a long time coming,” said Tom McClusky, a vice president at Family Research Council. “What they seek to do is protect patients, nurses, doctors and other health care professionals from being forced to violate their consciences.”
Abortion-rights advocates said the rule was overly broad and could reduce access to other services — allowing a drugstore clerk to refuse to sell birth-control pills, for example.
“I think it’s a wonderful step,” said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., of Obama’s move. “That rule was actually a poorly drafted last-minute attempt to, I think, restrict health care access, and I think it would have had far-reaching and unintended consequences.”
DeGette is co-chairwoman of the Congressional Pro-choice Caucus and has introduced legislation to overturn the regulation.
