Freedom of Choice Act

[Drop_o_Rain]

Do you know about this bill??

""declares that it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child; terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetus#Viability); or terminate a pregnancy after viability when necessary to protect her life or her health. Prohibits a federal, state, or local governmental entity from denying or interfering with a woman's right to exercise such choices; or discriminating against the exercise of those rights in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information. Provides that such prohibition shall apply retroactively.
Authorizes an individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act to obtain appropriate relief, including relief against a governmental entity, in a civil action." (wiki)


OK... does this mean that in a Catholic hospital... the law protecting them from performing abortions would be taken away?? And would this mean that parents would not be notified if their child was going to have an abortion?
Can anyone help me decipher this??

[alsoa]

I have no idea, but my guess would be that a Catholic hospital would not fall under the category of a "federal, state, or local governmental entity"

[Drop_o_Rain]

It is protected by a federal law that they don't have to perform those services.

[Elphaba]

i wouldn't go to a catholic hospital for the same reason i wouldn't go to a scientologist hospital. why would a healthcare facility be a religious denomination, is there a greater chance of getting into heaven if you die there?

[Drop_o_Rain]

No, so people who want to be nurses and doctors, but follow their faith can be protected in doing so.....

and, people receiving care would be assured that their religion would be followed in their care.

[Nevrmore]

the cleanest, nicest hospital I was ever in was a Catholic Hospital. The only good thing I have to say about Albany is that I had a wonderful birthing experiance at St. Peters.

[Elphaba]

well i guess when you put it that way, st. peter's is a class act hospital. undoubtedly not every staff who works there is a catholic nor christian and there are a lot of hindus and muslims and others working there. its catholic affiliation is i don't know how deep. hopefully medicine is applied before religious belief - which is probobly the case. anyhow, i don't see where what was posted refers to being applied to a particular establishment, it states it is a woman's right. the woman has a lot of choices as to where and it does not define woman. is 16 a woman, 17? how old does a woman have to be to make decisions on her own reproductive rights?

[sarah b.]

Thanks for mentioning this, Kimmy.

[Uncle Coulro]

OK... does this mean that in a Catholic hospital... the law protecting them from performing abortions would be taken away?? And would this mean that parents would not be notified if their child was going to have an abortion?
Can anyone help me decipher this??
Yes to both questions. In particular, if FOCA is passed, most Catholic hospitals will have to close.