I’m not normally a hotheaded person but after I read this article from Monday’s Washington Post about a new trend in “pro-life pharmacies” that refuse to stock any sort of contraception or the morning-after pill I would seriously like to punch something. Hard.
I have absolutely no problem with any person avowing whatever they want as their personal religion. You want to teach your daughters that they are lower forms of human beings? I won’t agree with it and I won’t acquiesce to it but I’ll respect it. In so much as I won’t beat you up or thoroughly criticize you for thinking that way. I would expect the same back in return.
A few years ago I was shocked to hear about the practice of pharmacists refusing to provide birth control to women because of their religious beliefs. But, like many people I assume, I didn’t get all up in arms over it because it didn’t seem like a systemic problem–but instead more like a few cases of rogue pharmacists. With this new developments of pro-life pharmacies that will not stock even those medications prescribed by doctors I can’t even begin to quell my anger.
As a child of two doctors, including one who is more religious than the vast majority of anyone I know, I’ve always respected the idea that doctors are required to treat the person in front of them on the table. One of my favorite episodes of West Wing involves the president having to tell a doctor whose family was killed in Iran that he must treat the son of the current religious leader of Iran. As his wife tells him, “Doctors are liable in this country if they don’t treat the patient in front of them.” It’s true. When you become a doctor, you accept that the medicine you practice could be used to save the life of murderers or rapists. You must accept that fact.
To these pharmacies and all those who applaud them, have shame. You are held to the same standard as doctors and you must serve all those who come in no matter what you or they believe. You have the right to refuse service to someone who is being belligerent or disruptive. But to refuse service to someone (or in some cases to TAKE prescriptions from patients so they can’t get their prescriptions filled elsewhere) is the lowest form of credible business practice. Welcome to the new Middle Ages America.
