No, I'm not a doctor, but I do believe in a very old book
It has been a few years of
disappointing legal decisions concerning a pharmacist's ability to
deny medications (specifically Plan B contraception) on the basis that it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Last week however, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco
overturned an important ruling in Washington state, that had said it was okay for pharmacists to refuse a patient medicine.
In Washington, the state permits a religiously objecting individual pharmacist to deny medicine, so long as another pharmacist working there provides timely delivery. The rules require a pharmacy to deliver all medicine, even if the owner objects.
A unanimous three-judge 9th Circuit panel on Thursday decided that the rules are constitutional because they rationally further the state's interest in patient safety. Speed is particularly important considering the time-sensitive nature of emergency contraception, the court said.
"The time taken to travel to another pharmacy, especially in rural areas where pharmacies are sparse, may reduce the efficacy of those drugs," wrote Judge Susan Graber.
This won't end the legal battle, but it is a victory for those of us who believe women's rights are more important than people excusing their hubris by saying they know
God better than someone else.
The store and pharmacists who sued the state in 2007 plan to appeal, either to the full circuit court or directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. Unless a court steps in, the state will be able to enforce the rule against the plaintiffs as it already may against other pharmacies.
“It potentially means that Ralph’s is going to lose their store, so they will appeal,” said Kristen Waggoner, an attorney with Seattle firm Ellis, Li & McKinstry who — along with Steve O’Ban, a lawyer and state senator from Tacoma — represents the plaintiffs. “There’s a lot at stake.”s
After taking a break to cry Ralph's a river of tears I remembered that God will provide and they shouldn't get so bent out of shape. The formulation of the legal battles have already begun in the statements to the press.
“The trial-court record demonstrates no woman anywhere in Washington has been denied timely access to these drugs for religious reasons, so access is not an issue,” Waggoner said.
[...]
“With 33 pharmacies stocking the drug within 5 miles of our store, it is extremely disappointing that the court and the state demand that we violate our conscience or lose our family business,” said a statement from Kevin Stormans, president of the company that owns Ralph’s Thriftway, Stormans Inc.
Of course just because they want to pretend they live in a tiny world where everyone follows their specific superstitious beliefs does not mean they actually live in a world like that. In fact. They don't. The rest of us are here and we want our country to continue to be for the people, by the people.