Tackling the medical issue

President Barack Obama has a full plate. As the new leader of the free world, there are many tasks calling for his attention. But one of his first orders of business must be the cancelation of a new federal abortion rule.

Last Thursday, seven states brought suit against the federal government, challenging a new rule that allows health care workers to refuse to perform abortions or offer other medical services because of religious or moral objections.

The states claim the federal rule, issued at the 11th hour by the Bush administration, will limit their current regulations that protect women’s access to birth control, including emergency contraception following rape.

This law is yet another example of the legislative ideology that flowed from the Bush administration.

And yes, its intentions might be noble. And yes, it would be a shame for doctors to have to perform any procedures that violate their personal ethics. But the truth is, they already have a choice.

Morality is a personal decision, as is religion. And if someone’s beliefs make performing certain tasks seem spiritually detrimental, maybe they should find another profession.

If their beliefs mean so much, why count on the government to create rules and excuses? Claim your own creeds and live accordingly. If you don’t want to perform an abortion, don’t seek a degree, study the body and undertake a residency to do just that.

This rule must be overturned.

And this invalidation must not be seen as a statement supporting abortion. This invalidation must be seen as the placement of government back within its proper bounds.

Government is charged with providing civil services. And our contemporary culture has deemed health care to be a responsibility of government.

With such an explicit duty, the government must continue to provide those services.

President Obama will be quite busy in these first few weeks of his new presidency, confronting the economic crisis and establishing his administration.

But in this busy time, he must prioritize repealing this unnecessary and improper rule.