Last week, the New York Times reported that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has drafted regulations that would allow any federal grant recipient to obstruct a woman's access to contraception. All grant recipients would have to certify that they will not refuse to hire providers who object to abortion and even certain types of birth control. According to Senator Hilary Clinton (D-NY) the proposed regulation will be released next week. And in response, some organizations are vigorously opposing the proposal and are trying to gear up public opposition even before the proposed rule is published. You can send a letter to HHS Secretary Leavitt here.

The leaked draft proposed rule states; "any of the various procedures — including the prescription, dispensing and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action — that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation." This broad definition may cover many types of birth control, such as oral contraceptives and emergency contraception, and therefore protects the right of medical providers to refuse to offer them. It also says it is needed to ensure that federal money does not "support morally coercive or discriminatory practices or policies in violation of federal law."