Conscience Clause

A native Philipino, 28 yrs. ago, survived a 7.8 earthquake in the Phillipines. She was in her high school, at the time, and the building collapsed. She became fascinated, as doctors and nurses, pulled her friends from the rubble and turned her playground into a mini-emergency room. She saw her friends die. What impressed her was the professionalism, of the medical personel, that saved many lives. This has stayed with her the rest of her life.   This person is Cathy DeCarlo. Today Cathy is a nurse in New York; and she comes from a close-knit Catholic family, faithful to the Church. Cathy started her career in nursing in Manila. She worked alongside many Americans, who brought their technology and expertise, to the Phillipines. She began to realize, many more lives could be saved with the equipment and expertise, that Americans brought to Manilla in the Phillipines.   In 2001, Cathy moved to New York City, and within 3 years, she began working as a surgical nurse at Manhatten's prestigious Mt. Sinai Medical Center. From the beginning, Cathy says, "The people at Mt. Sinai saw potential in me. I did everything. Now I'm proficient in all surgeries. Not all nurses are fortunate enough to have this experience."   Cathy further states, "I don't think you go into medicine to make money. You go in, first and foremost, because you care about people. You give your whole life to the service. It's a vocation, a calling."     Cathy filled out official forms, prior to her hiring stating, because of her faith, she would not assist with any abortion procedures. "From the very start, I told them I don't do abortions, because every life is sacred from conception, and every child is made in the image of God."  However on Sunday May 24, 2009, Cathy came on duty at 7:00AM and she was told she was scheduled at 8:00AM for a DNC, the common procedure for miscarriages, at which Cathy often assisted. As she began her work, she recognized some of the instruments, as the kind they use in abortion. She looked at the paper-work, called the resident on duty and confirmed, that the surgeon would be dismembering and killing a 22 week preborn child.   She told the resident, she didn't do abortions and asked that the patient be sent to another operating room, until another nurse could be found to assist the surgeon. This was the critical point - unless her managers authorized a substitute, they would compel Cathy to see the surgery through, once she came in contact with the patient.   She called the nursing supervisor, to remind her that she had permission from the hospital, not to participate in abortions. The supervisor said she'd have to contact her supervisor, and she told Cathy, that she herself would have to make arrangements, for another nurse to take her place. Cathy was shocked and dismayed, when minutes later, the supervisor called back to say, she would have to assist with the abortion. Cathy reminded her again, of her agreement with the hospital, and that the procedure was not life threatening and could take place anytime over the next few hours.   The case was not labeled an emergency,and no medications required for emergency patients were listed. But, the supervisor and doctor continued to call it an emergency, and if Cathy refused to assist, in what the hospital termed a life and death procedure, she would be charged with insubordination and abandoning her patient. Her career would be over. Cathy's managers were allowing no substitutes for this procedure. When the woman arrived in the operating room, contact was established, and because Cathy is a professional, she made certain the patient had no idea her nurse had any problem about helping abort the child in her womb.      After the procedure, Cathy spent many days and nights on the computer, affirming what she already knew; that a preborn baby can feel pain at 18 weeks. Knowing her personal position and beliefs, she felt she'd been lied to and betrayed. Her supervisor had forced her to go against the innermost convictions of her soul. The hospital, that had promised to honor her religious beliefs, had chosen to violate them. Cathy has filed formal complaint with her supervisor and nurses' union. Her managers refused to let her bring an attorney, when discussing her case, in trying to resolve the issue. Cathy is now being represented by the Allied Defense Fund. She continues to work at Mt.Sinai, while the suit is progressing. However, Cathy states, "Even now, to feel this pain after so many months - some say it's abnormal, but I think it's normal, nurses have come to me, telling me, that the didn't know they could refuse to do an abortion."     When the Obama Health Care Plan is fully implemented, no health care professional will be safe.