Déjà vu all over again!

A couple of weeks ago we brought you the story of how the Iowa Civil Rights Commission was trying to censor the pulpit speech of priests and ministers, and force their churches to conform to the commissions “gender equity” restroom and shower facilities policy; now we have another administrative agency trying to force speech on unwilling physicians.

Steven H. Aden

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed suit in federal court last week against the Vermont Board of Medical Practice and the Office of Professional Regulation on behalf of health care professionals who wish to abide by their oath to “do no harm.” The state agencies are construing Vermont’s assisted suicide law as requiring them, regardless of their conscience or oath, to counsel patients on the option of doctor-prescribed death.

“The government shouldn’t be telling health care professionals that they must violate their medical ethics in order to practice medicine,” said ADF Senior Counsel Steven H. Aden, who will be our guest on FOT this week. “These doctors and other health care workers deeply believe that suffering patients need understanding and sound medical treatment, not encouragement to kill themselves. The state has no authority to order them to act contrary to that sincere and time-honored conviction.”

Since joining ADF in 2008, Mr. Aden has focused his litigation efforts on the sanctity of human life, free speech on public university campuses, and the constitutionality of faith-based initiatives. He earned his J.D. in 1989 from Georgetown University Law Center, graduating cum laude. He is admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Hawaii (inactive). He is a member of the bars of the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous federal circuit and district courts. Aden has also authored numerous law review articles on constitutional law and civil rights, and is a frequent media commentator.

So Tuesday, join Deacon Mike Manno and Gina Noll as they discuss this issue with Mr. Aden, as well as a review of other topics of interest to people of faith. FOT airs on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM at 9 a.m. (Central) and re-broadcasts at 9 p.m. The program also streams on IowaCatholicRadio.com where podcasts of earlier shows can be found.

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