Letters to the Editor - Oct. 20, 2008

Activist veto of abortions will result if conscience laws enforced as proposed

Regarding "Revised language in proposed HHS rule still bolsters abortion conscience laws" (Article, Sept. 22/29):

While hiding behind "conscience rights," Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt is doing nothing more than allowing anti-choice activists to infest organizations that perform the vital task of offering women choices regarding their reproductive health. This gift to the religious right is nothing more than another attempt by the Bush administration to inject religious zealotry into the realm of science and should be opposed by all physicians.

--Amesh Adalja, MD, Butler, Pa.

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Standard on curbing disruptive behavior could be misapplied easily

Regarding "New Joint Commission standard tells hospitals to squelch disruptive behaviors" (Article, Aug. 18):

The new guidelines on disruptive behavior of health care professionals go way too far.

If not only refusing to answer questions but also even a seeming "reluctance" to answer questions can be considered a crime, or "condescending language or voice intonation; and impatience with questions" is also considered a crime, then we have moved back to Soviet Russia where Stalin said, "Bring me the man and I'll find the crime."

Anyone can say they sensed a "reluctance" or didn't like the tone of someone's voice. Every parent of young children should shudder, since "impatience with questions" is now a crime.

These new rules would be unfair, arbitrary and un-American.

--Michael V. Coseriu, MD, Parma, Ohio

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