Conscience Rights
Sample Letter for Ob/Gyn Clerkship
August 22, 2010
Many students are especially nervous about their obstetrics/gynecology clerkship. Below is a sample letter that other students have found useful in communicating their stance on beginning-of-life issues.
Introduction
August 22, 2010
Staying true to Catholic teaching during your clinical years can be daunting, but the law is on your side. Below are citations from federal law. To get more information on state law, go to Americans United for Life's resource, Defending Life. (AUL sells the current year issue of Defending Life, but the prior year is available online.) If you need any help protecting your rights, contact the Alliance Defense Fund. They have an excellent group of lawyers dedicated to protecting your rights.
Medical Training Nondiscrimination Act of 1995 “The federal government and any state that receives federal financial assistance may not subject any health care entity to discrimination on the basis that the entity refuses to undergo training in the performance of induced abortions, to provide such training, to perform such abortions, or to provide referrals for such abortions.”
42 U.S.C. § 300a-7(b) (“Church Amendments”) “The receipt of any . . . [money most public schools receive]. . . by any individual or entity does not authorize. . . .[any powers that be] . . . to require such individual to perform or assist in the performance of any sterilization procedure or abortion if his performance or assistance in the performance of such procedure or abortion would be contrary to his religious beliefs or moral convictions.” A more thorough citation is available at http://vlex.com/vid/19243285.
