Why don’t the health professionals who don’t believe in abortion go get jobs where it’s not an issue? What if I work in a liquor store but my religious beliefs are such that I don’t believe in drinking? Can I keep my job in the liquor store but not sell any liquor? What if I work at a car dealership as a sales person, but my religious beliefs are such that I don’t believe in motorized vehicles. Can I keep my job but not sell any cars? If these health professionals are so serious about their religious and moral beliefs, then why would they be working in an establishment that performs abortions to begin with?

The Bush administration Thursday proposed stronger job protections for doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions because of religious or moral objections.

Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said that health care professionals should not face retaliation from employers or from medical societies because they object to abortion.

“Freedom of conscience is not to be surrendered upon issuance of a medical degree,” said Leavitt. “This nation was built on a foundation of free speech. The first principle of free speech is protected conscience.”

The proposed rule, which applies to institutions receiving government money, would require as many as 584,000 employers ranging from major hospitals to doctors’ offices and nursing homes to certify in writing that they are complying with several federal laws that protect the conscience rights of health care workers. Violations could lead to a loss of government funding and legal action to recoup federal money already paid.

More at the AP