The Ethical Roles of the Government in Medical Practice

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The ethical roles of the government as it pertains to the rights of medical practice are a slippery slope. One may argue “How can the government make decisions based solely upon the best interest of itself”. With this being focused mostly in regards to it’s stances on abortion and the rights of doctors to make ethical and moral decisions on whether or not they want to practice abortions in their clinic. While bearing in mind ethical values relating to medical practices, the role of conscience is extremely substantial.

“Abortion was legalized in 1973 when the U.S.Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that during the first trimester, a woman has the right to decide what happens to her body. The Court ruled that the state could intervene in the second trimester and could ban abortions in the third trimester. However, a central issue, which the Court declined to address, is whether human life begins at conception, at birth, or at some point in between.”(politics) With the legalization of abortion came laws regulating the doctor’s rights to perform abortions.

The Church Amendments state that no individual can be discriminated against on the basis that (1) the individual performed or assisted in any lawful research activity or (2) the individual refused to perform or assist in any research activity because it would be contrary to his or her religious beliefs or moral convictions. This was solely designed for physicians and faith-based institutions right to refuse care that goes against moral and religious beliefs and protected them in instances where they would not provide, pay for, provide coverage for (in the case of a health plan), or refer for, any practice they disagree with, specifically abortions. With these Laws set in place phys...

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...y are uncomfortable with. They should be able to make decisions based upon their moral groundings and training not just a response to life limb or eyesight. Doctors should never be forced into a “God Complex”, a feeling of superiority and self-indulgence based on the assumption that they control life and death, and is experienced by a multitude of doctors struggling with ethics and moral fiber along with the rules and regulations aforementioned therein.

In conclusion, every patient is worried about their rights to care but not so much are focused on the rights of the physicians providing the care. It is hard to establish a respectable practice if you are required to perform care for instances in which you object or do not want to be a part of. This detracts from the ethical background of practice and procedure every physician should hold to the highest standard.

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