Pediatrician Refuses To Care For Baby With Lesbian Mothers In Michigan

[Martinus]

Pediatrician Refuses To Care For Baby With Lesbian Mothers In Michigan

The Huffington Post  |  By Ed Mazza

A lesbian couple in Michigan says a pediatrician has refused to care for their infant because of their sexual orientation.

Krista and Jami Contreras said Dr. Vesna Roi of Eastlake Pediatrics in Roseville, Michigan, had initially agreed to be the pediatrician to their daughter, Bay. But after "much prayer," Roi had a change of heart.

When the couple brought their 6-day-old baby into the office for a wellness check-up, another doctor told them that Roi would not be seeing them after all, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"I was completely dumbfounded," Krista, who is the baby's biological mother, told the newspaper. "We just looked at each other and said, 'Did we hear that correctly?'"

The other doctor at the practice offered to care for the baby. The couple told the local Fox station that the second doctor also told them Roi didn't even come into the clinic that day because she didn't want to see them.

"As far as we know Bay doesn't have a sexual orientation yet so I'm not really sure what that matters," Jami told myFOXDetroit.com. "We're not your patient -- she's your patient. And the fact is that your job is to keep babies healthy and you can't keep a baby healthy that has gay parents?"

Roi later sent the couple a handwritten letter, which the Free Press posted online and can be seen below.

"After much prayer following your prenatal, I felt that I would not be able to develop the personal patient doctor relationship that I normally do with my patients," wrote Roi, who has an average of three out of five stars at Healthgrades and four out of five on Vitals based on limited reviews.

Roi apologized for not telling them in person, and said they were welcome in the clinic, but that Bay would have to be seen by the other doctor at the practice.

"Please know that I believe that God gives us free choice and I would never judge anyone based on what they do with that free choice," Roi wrote. "Again, I am sorry for the hurt and angry feelings that were created by this. I hope you can accept my apology."

Roi's decision may seem outrageous, but it's not illegal. The Free Press reports that while 22 states have laws prohibiting doctors from discriminating based on sexual orientation, Michigan is not one of them.

However, the American Medical Association's code of ethics says doctors should not refuse care based on race, gender or sexual orientation. Doctors can refuse specific treatments if they are incompatible with personal, religious or moral beliefs.

Roi has not been a member of the AMA since 2001, according to her website. She does belong to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which similarly urges members to practice nondiscrimination.

Krista and Jami Contreras, who were married in Vermont in 2012, told both MyFOXDetroit and the Free Press that they were going public to raise awareness and change the laws to protect families with same-sex parents.

"It was embarrassing, it was humiliating and here we are, new parents trying to protect her," Jami told myFOXDetroit. "And we know this happens in the world and we're completely prepared for this to happen other places. But not at our 6-day-old's wellness appointment."

Ok, I can get you can be a homophobic asshole and hate gay people because your dumbfuck religion tells you so. But given that we have a few people here who profess belief in God - could you explain to me how something like that is even remotely within the confines of acceptable behaviour under any moral system known to man?

[grumbler]

Pediatrician Refuses To Care For Baby With Lesbian Mothers In Michigan

The Huffington Post  |  By Ed Mazza

A lesbian couple in Michigan says a pediatrician has refused to care for their infant because of their sexual orientation.

Krista and Jami Contreras said Dr. Vesna Roi of Eastlake Pediatrics in Roseville, Michigan, had initially agreed to be the pediatrician to their daughter, Bay. But after "much prayer," Roi had a change of heart.

When the couple brought their 6-day-old baby into the office for a wellness check-up, another doctor told them that Roi would not be seeing them after all, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"I was completely dumbfounded," Krista, who is the baby's biological mother, told the newspaper. "We just looked at each other and said, 'Did we hear that correctly?'"

The other doctor at the practice offered to care for the baby. The couple told the local Fox station that the second doctor also told them Roi didn't even come into the clinic that day because she didn't want to see them.

"As far as we know Bay doesn't have a sexual orientation yet so I'm not really sure what that matters," Jami told myFOXDetroit.com. "We're not your patient -- she's your patient. And the fact is that your job is to keep babies healthy and you can't keep a baby healthy that has gay parents?"

Roi later sent the couple a handwritten letter, which the Free Press posted online and can be seen below.

"After much prayer following your prenatal, I felt that I would not be able to develop the personal patient doctor relationship that I normally do with my patients," wrote Roi, who has an average of three out of five stars at Healthgrades and four out of five on Vitals based on limited reviews.

Roi apologized for not telling them in person, and said they were welcome in the clinic, but that Bay would have to be seen by the other doctor at the practice.

"Please know that I believe that God gives us free choice and I would never judge anyone based on what they do with that free choice," Roi wrote. "Again, I am sorry for the hurt and angry feelings that were created by this. I hope you can accept my apology."

Roi's decision may seem outrageous, but it's not illegal. The Free Press reports that while 22 states have laws prohibiting doctors from discriminating based on sexual orientation, Michigan is not one of them.

However, the American Medical Association's code of ethics says doctors should not refuse care based on race, gender or sexual orientation. Doctors can refuse specific treatments if they are incompatible with personal, religious or moral beliefs.

Roi has not been a member of the AMA since 2001, according to her website. She does belong to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which similarly urges members to practice nondiscrimination.

Krista and Jami Contreras, who were married in Vermont in 2012, told both MyFOXDetroit and the Free Press that they were going public to raise awareness and change the laws to protect families with same-sex parents.

"It was embarrassing, it was humiliating and here we are, new parents trying to protect her," Jami told myFOXDetroit. "And we know this happens in the world and we're completely prepared for this to happen other places. But not at our 6-day-old's wellness appointment."

Ok, I can get you can be a homophobic asshole and hate gay people because your dumbfuck religion tells you so. But given that we have a few people here who profess belief in God - could you explain to me how something like that is even remotely within the confines of acceptable behaviour under any moral system known to man?

Agreed.  This over-the-top whining has got to stop.  Honest doctors are hard enough to find without trying to force the few that exist to lie.

[Valmy]

Ok, I can get you can be a homophobic asshole and hate gay people because your dumbfuck religion tells you so. But given that we have a few people here who profess belief in God - could you explain to me how something like that is even remotely within the confines of acceptable behaviour under any moral system known to man?

I guess I fail to see how this is the most outrageously evil thing somebody ever claimed was a moral stand before.

[Berkut]

Wow - I have to actually respect the doctor. I think she is on the one hand kind of a dumbass for having such silly views, but on the other hand she has every right to decide the terms under which she wishes to provide her services.

It's not like this couple has no alternative or something. Their child is going to get care.

I fail to see the outrage here. At worst, this is something that other potential customers of the doctor might want to take into consideration in their *choice* of doctors.

But access to some particular doctor is not a rights issue, unless there is an actual practical problem where one cannot find competent care otherwise, and that is clearly not the case.

[grumbler]

Wow - I have to actually respect the doctor. I think she is on the one hand kind of a dumbass for having such silly views, but on the other hand she has every right to decide the terms under which she wishes to provide her services.

It's not like this couple has no alternative or something. Their child is going to get care.

I fail to see the outrage here. At worst, this is something that other potential customers of the doctor might want to take into consideration in their *choice* of doctors.

But access to some particular doctor is not a rights issue, unless there is an actual practical problem where one cannot find competent care otherwise, and that is clearly not the case.

What about the rights of a gay Pole to shriek about gay rights when no gay rights are infringed?

[Valmy]

Marty clearly takes these things very personally.

[Berkut]

Wow - I have to actually respect the doctor. I think she is on the one hand kind of a dumbass for having such silly views, but on the other hand she has every right to decide the terms under which she wishes to provide her services.

It's not like this couple has no alternative or something. Their child is going to get care.

I fail to see the outrage here. At worst, this is something that other potential customers of the doctor might want to take into consideration in their *choice* of doctors.

But access to some particular doctor is not a rights issue, unless there is an actual practical problem where one cannot find competent care otherwise, and that is clearly not the case.

What about the rights of a gay Pole to shriek about gay rights when no gay rights are infringed?

I think Languish has firmly established that those rights are well protected.

Well, except for that time we banned him...

[garbon]

Wow - I have to actually respect the doctor. I think she is on the one hand kind of a dumbass for having such silly views, but on the other hand she has every right to decide the terms under which she wishes to provide her services.

It's not like this couple has no alternative or something. Their child is going to get care.

I fail to see the outrage here. At worst, this is something that other potential customers of the doctor might want to take into consideration in their *choice* of doctors.

But access to some particular doctor is not a rights issue, unless there is an actual practical problem where one cannot find competent care otherwise, and that is clearly not the case.

[Barrister]

Ok, I can get you can be a homophobic asshole and hate gay people because your dumbfuck religion tells you so. But given that we have a few people here who profess belief in God - could you explain to me how something like that is even remotely within the confines of acceptable behaviour under any moral system known to man?

Dr Roi believes that homosexuality is immoral.  He feels that because of that belief he (or she, I have no idea what kind of name Vesna is) would not be able to form a close bond with this lesbian family, and therefore would be an ineffective pediatrician for them.  As a result he or she arranged for them to be covered by a different pediatrician within the same clinic.

Sounds like acceptable behaviour.  And for the couple involved - do they really want a pediatrician who is silently judging their lifestyle every time they come in, but instead puts on a fake smile?  Perhaps this was not only acceptable, but the proper thing to do?

[Berkut]

Note: I actually even kind of understand her position. If we accept that she is a bit of a homophobe, and take that as a given, then her ability to form a solid and respectful relationship with the child's parents could certainly be impacted, and she is doing them a favor of not trying to force this to work.

Your kids pediatrician is pretty critical, and *your* relationship with that doctor is at least as important, if not more important, than the doctors relationship with the patient. Early on, certainly so, since all the doctors information about the child mostly comes from their interactions with the parent(s).

So their comment about the sexual orientation of the child completely misses the point.

[Berkut]

Ok, I can get you can be a homophobic asshole and hate gay people because your dumbfuck religion tells you so. But given that we have a few people here who profess belief in God - could you explain to me how something like that is even remotely within the confines of acceptable behaviour under any moral system known to man?

Dr Roi believes that homosexuality is immoral.  He feels that because of that belief he (or she, I have no idea what kind of name Vesna is) would not be able to form a close bond with this lesbian family, and therefore would be an ineffective pediatrician for them.  As a result he or she arranged for them to be covered by a different pediatrician within the same clinic.

Sounds like acceptable behaviour.  And for the couple involved - do they really want a pediatrician who is silently judging their lifestyle every time they come in, but instead puts on a fake smile?  Perhaps this was not only acceptable, but the proper thing to do?

Yep.

I think the idea that one can find a gay couple morally wrong pretty stupid, but on the other hand, if someone is deeply religious then it is not at all surprising.

I could see this being a problem in a Muslim community, as a counter-example though. Muslims, AFAIK, are by an large much more seriously homophobic, and hence I could see a problem with finding good health care...but then, if you are a gay couple in a predominantly Muslim community, this  would be just one of many problems you have...

[CountDeMoney]

I love how Martinus will freak the fuck out of some outlier "News of the Weird" piece that in the cosmic order of things doesn't mean a single sequined Elvis turd, but real, impactful political shit like Bobby Jindal blocking the construction of the Planned Parenthood clinic in New Orleans doesn't register on his gaydar.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gov-jindal-pro-lifers-block-planned-parenthood-clinic-in-new-orleans/2015/02/14/4e73c654-b23f-11e4-886b-c22184f27c35_story.html

[Valmy]

It is just mind bogglingly stupid that pro-lifers have chosen Planned Parenthood as their bête-noire.  They should be working with Planned Parenthood in a fight to reduce the number of abortions.  I mean only the insane would be both against contraception and family planning AND abortion.  I mean that is so idiotic one would think their policy is to undermine society.

[viper37]

Ok, I can get you can be a homophobic asshole and hate gay people because your dumbfuck religion tells you so. But given that we have a few people here who profess belief in God - could you explain to me how something like that is even remotely within the confines of acceptable behaviour under any moral system known to man?

Dr Roi believes that homosexuality is immoral.  He feels that because of that belief he (or she, I have no idea what kind of name Vesna is) would not be able to form a close bond with this lesbian family, and therefore would be an ineffective pediatrician for them.  As a result he or she arranged for them to be covered by a different pediatrician within the same clinic.

Sounds like acceptable behaviour.  And for the couple involved - do they really want a pediatrician who is silently judging their lifestyle every time they come in, but instead puts on a fake smile?  Perhaps this was not only acceptable, but the proper thing to do?

the real question is, could a doctor refuses to treat a black man because of his religious beliefs?  Could a Muslim doctor refuses to treat a Jew or vice-versa?

I lean on Marty's side because of the precedent it creates here, it essentially validates discrimination.  I understand it's normal behavior for the US, and the doctors are in private practice, but still, I feel uneasy about this.

[Barrister]

Ok, I can get you can be a homophobic asshole and hate gay people because your dumbfuck religion tells you so. But given that we have a few people here who profess belief in God - could you explain to me how something like that is even remotely within the confines of acceptable behaviour under any moral system known to man?

Dr Roi believes that homosexuality is immoral.  He feels that because of that belief he (or she, I have no idea what kind of name Vesna is) would not be able to form a close bond with this lesbian family, and therefore would be an ineffective pediatrician for them.  As a result he or she arranged for them to be covered by a different pediatrician within the same clinic.

Sounds like acceptable behaviour.  And for the couple involved - do they really want a pediatrician who is silently judging their lifestyle every time they come in, but instead puts on a fake smile?  Perhaps this was not only acceptable, but the proper thing to do?

the real question is, could a doctor refuses to treat a black man because of his religious beliefs?  Could a Muslim doctor refuses to treat a Jew or vice-versa?

I lean on Marty's side because of the precedent it creates here, it essentially validates discrimination.  I understand it's normal behavior for the US, and the doctors are in private practice, but still, I feel uneasy about this.

I think it is all about access to services.  If a number of doctors start refusing to service black people, to the point where black people start having difficulty obtaining medical care, then yeah, the government needs to step in.

If it's a few isolated cases, and in particular like here the doctor takes steps to find an alternate service provider, I'm not bothered by it.