“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.”
— Hippocrates
My life has been touched by the health care system in so many ways — as a patient, as a family member of a patient, as an employee and now as Cooley Dickinson’s president/chief executive officer.
It is fair to say I’ve had thousands of interactions with physicians, nurses, techs and staff in all kinds of roles. I have been inspired and humbled by my colleagues. They are caring, smart, hardworking, and passionate about what they do.
The values and ideals that lead one to want to work in medicine or public health or social services are what keeps us going in spite of many challenges. Cooley Dickinson is here for all in our community — no matter the color of your skin, whom you love, where you’re from, how you got here or how you worship.
And so, it is of great concern that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, has proposed a rule that would allow health care workers to decline providing care to someone based on the health care worker’s personal beliefs.
The proposed “conscience rights in health care” rule threatens access to care. Attorneys general in 20 states, including Massachusetts, submitted testimony against this proposed rule, noting that it “would allow individuals and entire institutions to deny lawful and medically necessary care to patients for ‘religious, moral, ethical or other reasons.’” The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association are also opposed.
Life is complicated and sometimes there is a clash of ideals and values. For example, a doctor may wish to provide a life-sustaining procedure to a patient who chooses to forgo treatment. Situations like this are not common, but they can and do happen at any hospital. When such issues arise, most hospitals figure it out so that the patient’s needs are met and the health care worker’s rights are protected as well.
Current law and policies allow caregivers — with appropriate oversight — to opt out of being involved in a specific procedure if it is inconsistent with their religious beliefs. What is not currently permitted is a caregiver or health care organization opting out of caring for a patient because of that patient’s beliefs or identity.
Eliminating this protection for patients is, quite simply, wrong. Testimony on the proposed regulation by the attorneys General notes that “existing federal and state laws already provide a time-tested, established framework that balances respect for religious freedom with the rights and needs of patients, employers, and states.”
The proposed rule opens the door wide for discrimination and for patients to be denied the care they need. It will also likely deter some from even seeking care. For example, it makes it more likely that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals will be met with discrimination just when they are most vulnerable — when they are sick and need care.
While I can’t envision such a scenario at Cooley Dickinson, it’s important that health care institutions and leaders call attention to proposed rules and regulations like this that take us in the wrong direction.
In addition to voicing opposition to this proposed federal law, I also want to reassure everyone that Cooley Dickinson will continue to be a place that welcomes all who need care. Our commitment to caring for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, disability, veteran status, et al, is absolute and unwavering.
I only hope that laws are not adopted that make it more difficult for us to do so.
This is the second in an occasional series of columns by Joanne Marqusee, president and chief executive officer of Cooley Dickinson Health Care, covering a range of public policy issues that have an impact on the health and wellness of our community and are the focus of policy debate. She has worked for more than 30 years in leadership roles for community hospitals, academic medical centers, public hospitals and government agencies.