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In the News
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Press Release Archive
September 25, 2002
Representative Akin Votes to Back Hospital’s Right to Choose
Bill allows hospitals the choice to not perform abortion
Washington, D.C.- Representative Akin voted today to keep hospitals from being forced to perform abortions against their will. The Abortion Non-Discrimination Act clarifies existing law to clearly state that physicians, doctors, hospitals and other health care organizations retain the right to set their own abortion policies according to their organizational conscience.
“The question before us is not the question of abortion,” said Akin during debate on the House floor, “The question is whether we protect the various health care organizations, whether we want to protect their right to have a choice, to even have an opinion.”
Under current law, “health care entities” are guaranteed the right of conscience regarding abortions. Lawyers and judges, however, have interpreted the statute to not include hospitals. The bill voted on today amends that statute clearly includes hospitals.
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