NEWS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR______________ ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH – GOVERNOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 9, 2008
CONTACTS:
Lucio Guererro
Sue Hofer
Brian Williamsen
312/814.3158
312/814.8197
217/782.7355
Governor Blagojevich Blasts Proposed Federal
“Provider Conscience” Rules as Dangerous to
Women’s Health
New regulation would pit providers’ beliefs against
women’s healthcare needs
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today denounced proposed federal rules being
promoted by U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt. The new
regulations, if allowed to take effect, would permit healthcare providers to use personal beliefs
rather than prudent medical practice to guide the delivery of federally funded medical services.
In requesting the withdrawal of the proposed rule, Governor Blagojevich points out that he acted
to protect women in Illinois from being blocked from obtaining prescriptions because of the
conscience concerns of some pharmacists. The rules that are in effect in Illinois, commonly
known as the “Plan B” rules, demonstrate that a right of conscience and the need for appropriate
healthcare can be reconciled.
“As proposed, the HHS rule undermines states’ abilities to create and enforce their own laws,
and endangers the very protection and access to choices in family planning that Illinois has
worked so hard to create. I am concerned that at a time when elected leaders are working to
increase access to healthcare for all Americans, the proposed rule will promote a culture of
refusal and denial of service,” said Governor Blagojevich in his letter to the Secretary.
At a time when more than 600,000 uninsured women depend on critical healthcare from
government funded providers, President Bush and Secretary Leavitt are fueling our healthcare
crisis by denying women’s access to quality, affordable healthcare.
A copy of the Governor’s letter to Secretary Leavitt follows:
Dear Secretary Leavitt:
I am writing to express my opposition to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
proposed “provider conscience” rule. This proposed regulatory change could cause untold harm
to 600,000 women in Illinois who are uninsured and depend on government or non-profit
healthcare services supported, in part, with federal funds. If this proposed rule is adopted, a
healthcare provider would be able to refuse to tell a vulnerable patient about the range of safe,
legal healthcare options available to her. This proposed rule is not about providers’
consciences, it is about restricting access to healthcare to those in need.
As Governor, I have fought for the rights of women to have access to contraception and
appropriate family planning choices equally. In April 2005, I issued an emergency rule, which
later became permanent, requiring that pharmacists, who choose to work in pharmacies that sell
contraception, dispense all forms of birth control with a valid prescription in a timely manner. I
have also been careful to ensure that Illinois has policies that allow providers to offer alternative
distribution methods, if they so choose. My goal then, and now, is to ensure that women have
access to the healthcare they desire, when they need it.
As proposed, the HHS rule undermines states’ abilities to create and enforce their own laws and
endangers the very protection and access to choices in family planning that Illinois has worked
so hard to create. I am concerned that at a time when elected leaders across the country are
working to increase access to healthcare for all Americans, the proposed rule will promote a
culture of refusal and denial of service.
Employees working at federally funded healthcare facilities should deliver the services their
patients request. With estimates that up to 600,000 healthcare entities such as hospitals, clinics
and pharmacies will be impacted by this rule, this action could lead to irrevocable harm for the
U.S. healthcare system at a time when it is already struggling.
I urge you, for the safety and health of all women, to withdraw the proposed provider conscience
rule.
Sincerely,
Rod R. Blagojevich
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