Letters and Comments for April 6, 2009

Letters and Comments for April 6, 2009

Whose interest comes first?

To the Editor:

Did I understand Sharon Schiller’s letter correctly? Did she really mean to imply that a nurse’s job is more important than the health of the patient? This boggles the mind. The public is not there to provide jobs. Those jobs are there to provide a service to the public.

Yes, this is an issue of free will vs. force, but she got it backwards. Everyone has free will in their choice of profession, but if they choose to be a nurse/doctor, then they should not force their personal views on their patients by withholding important information. Getting all the pertinent information is critical for patients to make the best choice for their health and well being. Withholding that information is negligence. Anyone who cannot perform those duties should exercise their free will and choose another profession.

Bush’s last-minute rule (not law) is so poorly written that it could cover any medical procedure. It states that health care providers are not required “to perform or assist in the performance of any part of a health service program or research activity funded by the Department if such service or activity would be contrary to his religious beliefs or moral convictions” (section §88.4(2)(d)(1), HHS final rule, 19 December 2008).

If we continue with Bush’s conscience rule, we won’t be able to trust that our nurse/doctor is giving us the whole picture. Trust between a patient and doctor/nurse is crucial. Would anyone want to go to a doctor who wouldn’t provide them with all of the options for their health concerns?

On the reverse side, this rule would allow doctors to not mention possible life-sustaining care because he/she thought that the life of the patient wouldn’t be worth living. Do we really want doctors/nurses making those decisions for us?

Tim Hoffnagle

La Grande