Althea Ansah

Thank you for reading my testimony. My name is Althea Ansah, and I'm writing in support of HB232, relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals. After graduating college in 2021 and returning home to work, I decided to find a new doctor that can provide me with proper medical care. My mother suggested a local doctor's office part of the Catholic Medical Center. My first appointment with CMC was in late 2023, and I felt welcome there with doctors who answered my questions thoroughly. One of the reasons I chose CMC was its dedication to stand with pro-life convictions of medicine with not committing abortions or prescribing hormonal birth control, values I stand by even as a Protestant Christian. This year, HCA Health completed its purchase of Catholic Medical Center [1]. Many individuals, myself included, are concerned with CMC losing its religious identity and standing by its commitment to not perform specific medical procedures. But this concern for conscience rights applies to every health professional, regardless of his or her place of employment.  As a young woman, I'm thinking about my future with starting a family. I do not want to worry about my doctor steering me in the way of using contraceptives because he or she may lose a job for recommending natural family planning instead. I do not want to worry about my doctor who may deliver my children to take the lives of other preborn children or risk losing employment. Respecting the rights of medical professionals to provide care applying to their values ensures that their capabilities are not compromised and patients are cared for. I ask you to support HB232 to protect the rights of medical professionals.  [1] https://nhjournal.com/state-approves-hcas-110-million-cmc-takeover