Note:  Susan Waldman is a member of Morris County NOW

Women need access

to health care

January 5, 2009

To the Editor:

It must not be enough to be the worst president ever.  With his poison pen, George W. Bush wants to extend his legacy of evil in perpetuity.  By issuing a regulation that cuts federal funding to any government or health care entity that does not give its employees a conscience exemption based on their moral beliefs, Bush is putting barriers between women and their reproductive health care.  Without recourse, a woman can be denied medical procedures and medication prescribed by her doctor.

Let's look at who is against this rule -- the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Hospital Association, among others.  Now let's see who is in favor -- the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Catholic Health Association, representing Catholic hospitals, the Christian Medical Association and the Family Research Council.  Do you see a pattern here?  Do we want our local bishop deciding what health care we are entitled to?  Should the only pharmacy in town be allowed to deny prescription contraception?  Remember, in many areas of the country, pharmacies can be miles and miles apart, not just around the corner.  This new rule must be overturned by the incoming Obama administration so every woman can get the complete health care she needs, not just what religious doctrine dictates.

SUSAN J. WALDMAN
Randolph