Becerra Nomination: CMA Submits Letter of Opposition to U.S. Senate, Encourages Members To Do the Same

Below, you will find a letter Catholic Medical Association has sent to the United States Senate, expressing our profound concern regarding the nomination of Mr. Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

With the support of American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Pediatricians, and Christian Medical and Dental Association, CMA has outlined below the significant violations to religious freedom and conscience protections at stake in this nomination.

You can ask the Senate to oppose Xavier Becerra by clicking here. We also encourage you to call your Senator’s D.C. office to express your concerns.

March 16, 2021

Members of the United States Senate

Dear Senator:

As members of the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine,[1] we take great pride in providing compassionate and competent medical care to our patients. We would go as far as to state that most of us feel a sense of “calling” to provide this care. We also recognize that many of our patients seek us out specifically for our dedication to providing optimal medical care in the context of the Hippocratic Oath’s prohibition against taking a life. Our ability to practice medicine and the provision of optimal medical care for all Americans will be threatened on several fronts if Mr. Xavier Becerra becomes Secretary of Health and Human Services.

If the United States Senate confirms the nomination of Mr. Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services, we can reasonably anticipate an unprecedented assault on our members’ ability to practice medicine according to sound medical judgment and the ethical principles of the Hippocratic Oath; a combination of science and principles that are ultimately in the best interest of each individual patient.

Based upon the review of his voting record in the U.S. House of Representatives and his service as Attorney General of the state of California, we believe that Mr. Becerra will continue to vigorously promote not only elective abortion up to and including at the time of birth, but also the acceptance of infanticide when infants are born alive during failed abortion procedures.  While a congressman, he voted against a ban on partial-birth abortion, opposed legislation protecting survivors of abortion, and during the pandemic advocated for the expansion of chemical abortions remotely. In addition, while California Attorney General, Mr. Becerra was twice held in violation of federal laws protecting conscience rights in healthcare.

This callous indifference to the sanctity of life is not limited to the beginning of life. As California Attorney General, Mr. Becerra fought vigorously to defend the state’s physician-assisted suicide law, the End of Life Option Act. In its defense, he argued, “The enactment fell within the scope of the special session called, in part, to consider efforts to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the health care system …and improve the health of Californians.” It is frightening to consider that if confirmed, our next Secretary of Health and Human Services would likely promote the concept that a physician’s prescription for a lethal dose of medication will improve the lives of Americans!

Based upon Mr. Becerra’s record, there is ample evidence to suggest there will be zero tolerance for exemptions to HHS regulations in this administration, whether based on conscience or religious liberty.  He has demonstrated as California Attorney General that he will aggressively prosecute anyone whose opinion differs from his own regarding life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

For these reasons, we strongly urge you to protect our members’ ability to practice medicine in the best interest of their patients without unjust discrimination and vote against the nomination of Mr. Becerra for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Sincerely,

American Association of Prolife Obstetricians and Gynecologists

American College of Pediatricians

Christian Medical and Dental Association

Catholic Medical Association

[1] The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (AHM) upholds and promotes the fundamental principles of Hippocratic medicine. These principles include protecting the vulnerable at the beginning and end of life, seeking the ultimate good for the patient with compassion and moral integrity, and providing health care with the highest standards of excellence based on medical science.F