RCRC Releases Guidelines for Ethical Health Care

Disciples For Choice has endorsed In Good Conscience: Guidelines for the Ethical Provision of Health Care in a Pluralistic Society, a document produced by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (see below). These guidelines are the basis of a resolution that will be presented to the upcoming General Assembly as a proposed study document.

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) released new ethical guidelines on providing healthcare in America. The guidelines, entitled In Good Conscience: Guidelines for the Ethical Provision of Health Care in a Pluralistic Society, seek to strike a balance between the beliefs and rights of providers and the beliefs and rights of patients. Alarmed by the increasing imposition of sectarian religious beliefs on health care access-especially access to reproductive health and humane end-of-life care-for millions of Americans, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, representing mainstream denominations and faith traditions, is calling for all health care providers to implement the new guidelines. . . .

The new guidelines provide an alternative to sectarian restrictions imposed on health care, such as the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, among others. As an increasing number of health care institutions fall under the control of religious organizations that restrict services based on their own religious beliefs, guidance is needed for providers and patients. For example, all Catholic hospitals, where 1 in 5 Americans receive their care, refuse to provide a range of reproductive and end-of-life service. The implications for patients are enormous: they are denied treatment or medication even when it is legal and they can pay for it. There are also implications for the doctors and nurses at such hospitals.

Individual doctors, pharmacists, and nurses are also exercising a "religious or moral objection," refusing to provide essential services and often leaving patients without other options. . . .

To read the rest of this press release, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For more information about the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice,
PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For more information about Disciples For Choice,
PLEASE CLICK HERE and HERE.

To read a resolution by the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affirming the decision-making capacity and rights of women in matters of reproductive health care, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Supreme Court Decision A Serious Setback for Women's Health

Statement of Rev. Carlton W. Veazey,
President and CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.


Today's Supreme Court decision is a serious setback for women's health and for a woman's ability to follow her conscience in medical decisions. As well, it is a blow to the basic responsibility of medical professionals to inform patients of all medical options.

While there is no question of our commitment to the value of all human life, we are alarmed that the Court has taken a step toward valuing a potential person over the woman whose life may be at risk.

The Roberts Court has, as feared, begun to move away from the respect for women's health and well-being that has characterized previous abortion decisions.

This decision moves us closer to the time when sectarian religious viewpoints will govern medical decisions for all Americans, whether they share those viewpoints or not.

In 2003, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Board of Directors opposed this legislation because support for it has been built by deception and fear, because it is so broad that it will unlawfully interfere with access to abortion generally, and because it lacks the morally, as well as legally, required health exception. While the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice does not advocate for abortion or or take positions on specific abortion procedures, we do advocate for women's right to make medical decisions according to their faith and conscience as well as with factual, compassionate medical advice.

We will continue to work for women's right to make the medical decisions they deem best as well as for reducing the need for abortion through family planning and sexuality education.

RCRC on CNN - Monday Night!

Tune in Monday, April 9, at 11 pm

Rev. Rebecca Turner, the executive director of the Missouri Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, will appear on Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN on Monday, April 5, at 11:00pm EDT. The show will examine what it means to be a Christian, including questions of science, sex, and salvation. Rev. Turner will be discussing the existence of so-called "post-abortion syndrome."

Disciples for Choice is a member of the Missouri Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and also the national Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. We encourage you to tune in!