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A Michigan doctor refuses to treat lesbian couple's baby, citing religion

February 19, 2015 3:29PM ET
by Marisa Taylor

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/19/michigan-doctor-refuses-to-treat-baby-of-lesbians.html (http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/19/michigan-doctor-refuses-to-treat-baby-of-lesbians.html)

A Detroit-area pediatrician refused to treat a newborn baby girl because her parents are lesbians, according to local media reports that have highlighted a lack of legal protections for LGBT people in many states.

Krista and Jami Contreras brought their 6-day-old baby girl to see Dr. Vesna Roi at Eastlake Pediatrics in Roseville, Michigan, for her first checkup in October 2014. They were dismayed when they were greeted by a different pediatrician, who told them Roi had "prayed about it" and decided she could not treat the baby for religious regions, the Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday.

Now that is just plain wrong. What child that young has ever done anything to be denied medical no matter what your religious beliefs. It isn't like they are treating the parents and even refusing them would be wrong.

I agree, that is just plain wrong. Dr.s take an oath to care for others regardless.
It doesn't matter if the parents are heterosexual or same sex couple. Religion is not a reason to deny treatment. Its just a handy excuse.

If the Dr. has that attitude, the child is better off seeing another Dr.

sam1234

We all see this coming in the states.

Hold on to our hats it will get worst before it will get better.

Wait till the witch hunts start up again.

This is the first I've heard of someone denying a service to someone because of their parents. This is bigotry. The doctor cannot even hide behind the defense of refusing on religious grounds, because the baby is not the one the doctor has a problem with. Refusing to treat a baby is... You have to be an exceptionally scummy human being to sink that low. And she "prayed about it"? I'm not even a believer, and even I'm insulted at the insinuation that she thinks God led her to make such a truly heartless decision. :(

Quote from: mrs izzy on February 21, 2015, 08:40:19 PM
We all see this coming in the states.

Exactly - legalized bigotry masquerading as religious beliefs.

It seems to be getting more and more popular judging by the sheer volume of the proposed legislation i've been seeing lately.

That doctor is a sick woman.  I can *somewhat* understand denying service to the couple (even though I think that's still wrong), but it's not like the baby has declared itself a homosexual.  It's a freaking baby!  I wonder how she would feel if she were to get into some horrible accident, and the surgeon's religious belief barred him/her from operating on her (and they "prayed" about it), and by the time they would have found someone else, she dies or some permanent damage has been done by then.  The shoe doesn't look so good on the other foot now....

Quote from: Eva Marie on February 22, 2015, 12:47:09 AM
Exactly - legalized bigotry masquerading as religious beliefs.

It seems to be getting more and more popular judging by the sheer volume of the proposed legislation i've been seeing lately.

What we're seeing is the last gasps of an ideology that loses more people by the day that it gains. Like any cornered animal it gets more dangerous but this will pass. The younger generations are a lot more accepting and a lot less tolerant of bigotry and hatred. This is our time and it scares those who can't accept it. We just need to make sure we stay safe and aware as this all goes on.

She has the right to refuse to treat patients.  It seems to me the definition of people who don't treat patients is "people without medical licenses." 

Quote from: Colleen M on February 22, 2015, 10:04:30 AM
She has the right to refuse to treat patients.  It seems to me the definition of people who don't treat patients is "people without medical licenses."

The patient was a six day old child, not the parents. This may be legally clear by state law but it's definitely morally wrong and violates AMA standards.

Quote from: Colleen M on February 22, 2015, 10:04:30 AM
She has the right to refuse to treat patients.  It seems to me the definition of people who don't treat patients is "people without medical licenses."

Yes, she does. She has the right not to practice medicine.

However, once she opens her practice, she is subject to all laws that apply to any type of business. She can't refuse to treat someone because they're a person of color, for example, or because she doesn't like their religion.

Quote from: Wynternight on February 22, 2015, 10:08:29 AM
The patient was a six day old child, not the parents. This may be legally clear by state law but it's definitely morally wrong and violates AMA standards.

I'm not actually worried about how old the patient is.  If she refuses to treat patients, she needs to have her license taken away. 

Legally doctors can refuse to treat anyone for any number of reasons.

http://www.injuryclaimcoach.com/treatment-denial.html

Can private doctors refuse to treat patients?

The short answer is, yes. A private doctor isn't subject to the provisions of EMTALA, and can dismiss you as a patient at any time (barring discrimination), for just about any reason, without fear of credible legal reprisals. Doctors in private practice are basically small business owners.

...Your doctor can refuse to continue treating you because:...

You are a disruptive patient.

For reasons of conscience (including religious, contraceptive, or palliative care beliefs, or deciding not to prescribe narcotics for pain management).

http://www.eastlakepeds.com/meet-the-doctors/vesna-l-roi--do.aspx

Quote from: LordKAT...Your doctor can refuse to continue treating you because:...

You are a disruptive patient.

For reasons of conscience (including religious, contraceptive, or palliative care beliefs, or deciding not to prescribe narcotics for pain management).

From the Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association:

Opinion 10.05 - Potential Patients
2.
<snip>
(b) Physicians cannot refuse to care for patients based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other criteria that would constitute invidious discrimination (Opinion 9.12, "Patient-Physician Relationship: Respect for Law and Human Rights"), nor can they discriminate against patients with infectious diseases (Opinion 2.23, "HIV Testing").

It's permissible for doctors to refuse to carry out a particular treatment if doing so would violate their religious principles, but it is not OK to discriminate against persons for that or any other reason.

Dr. Roi behaved unethically. If Jamie and Krista Contreras chose to do so, they would likely have grounds for filing an ethics complaint with Michigan's licensing board. But I wouldn't  blame them if they didn't; I'd say they've done their bit by publicizing what happened.

I find it odd how what is legal and what is ethical don't necessarily match up.  The most the AMA can do is end your membership. From looking at the links provided by Beth, the doctor is not a member currently.

QuoteFrom looking at the links provided Beth, the doctor is not a member currently.

I missed that. But it's wonderful what a thorough public shaming can do...  >:-)

Quote from: Tysilio on February 22, 2015, 07:22:52 PM
I missed that. But it's wonderful what a thorough public shaming can do...  >:-)

True, bad reviews can do thingsas well as good ones.

Quote from: LordKAT on February 22, 2015, 08:00:58 PM
True, bad reviews can do thingsas well as good ones.

I noticed the clinic has a one-star rating. Perhaps the clinic will do the right thing and decide the dr. should look for her office elsewhere.

Like Antarctica... ::)

I just feel it messed up that a "medical professional" would deny treatment of a newborn child for any reason

Quote from: V M on February 22, 2015, 09:45:36 PM
I just feel it messed up that a "medical professional" would deny treatment of a newborn child for any reason

Definitely agreed.

Pediatrician refuses to treat newborn baby of gay couple

By CNN News, April 4 2015

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pediatrician-refuses-to-treat-gay-couples-newborn-child/vi-AAar0Qm (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pediatrician-refuses-to-treat-gay-couples-newborn-child/vi-AAar0Qm)

Despite interviewing the physician prior to the baby's birth, a pediatrician refused to treat a newborn because she had two mothers.

Op Comment:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yikes!  A bit worse than refusing to bake cakes or provide pizza.

Wow. See, this is exactly what I was afraid of. Give them an inch and you'll have to give them a mile. That poor baby...

So many doctors.

My pediatrician is gay. He is absolutely wonderful with the kids.

If they lived up here I would recommend him in a heartbeat.

http://www.inquisitr.com/1986590/pediatrician-refuses-to-treat-infant-with-lesbian-parents/

QuoteFOX 2 attempted to contact Roi for a statement, but she refused to comment, citing patient privacy laws.

According to CBS Detroit, there are currently no laws that protect gay, bisexual, and transgender families from discrimination.

"Under current Michigan law, a doctor has an absolute right to refuse medical treatment on the basis of sexual orientation," Charlie Langton, a legal analysts, said.

Well then, since the doctor has no idea what the BABY'S sexual orientation is, is she within her rights to refuse treatment to the baby? The baby is her patient, not the parents.

Quote from: cpvwye on April 07, 2015, 12:59:31 PM
http://www.inquisitr.com/1986590/pediatrician-refuses-to-treat-infant-with-lesbian-parents/



Well then, since the doctor has no idea what the BABY'S sexual orientation is, is she within her rights to refuse treatment to the baby? The baby is her patient, not the parents.

I agree this is so dumb and does nothing for the baby who needs care. I did not watch the video but is this in Indiana?

No, it's a story from Michigan, I think.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on April 07, 2015, 02:31:02 PM
No, it's a story from Michigan, I think.

Thank you. Still crazy though.

Although I think this kind of discrimination is disgusting, I can "get" the need to have a dr patient relationship that is more than just business and on a personal level, i.e. someone you are comfortable with. My doctor is straight/cis (I presume) but his nurse practitioner who I see is trans. And I actually like that I see her because I feel that she understands me and my needs as a trans woman more than a cis man or even a cis woman would. I feel that because of this I am very well taken care of.

But ultimately I think it should be up to the patient to choose and the doctor should seek to heal the sick, not impose their personal beliefs on the patient or patient's parents.

Quote from: suzifrommd on February 21, 2015, 04:40:11 PM
A Michigan doctor refuses to treat lesbian couple's baby, citing religion

February 19, 2015 3:29PM ET
by Marisa Taylor

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/19/michigan-doctor-refuses-to-treat-baby-of-lesbians.html (http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/19/michigan-doctor-refuses-to-treat-baby-of-lesbians.html)

A Detroit-area pediatrician refused to treat a newborn baby girl because her parents are lesbians, according to local media reports that have highlighted a lack of legal protections for LGBT people in many states.

Krista and Jami Contreras brought their 6-day-old baby girl to see Dr. Vesna Roi at Eastlake Pediatrics in Roseville, Michigan, for her first checkup in October 2014. They were dismayed when they were greeted by a different pediatrician, who told them Roi had "prayed about it" and decided she could not treat the baby for religious regions, the Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday.

I've only just found this and i know it's an old topic, but I was so upset by it I just plain had to comment.

My first thought when I read this was, 'What is the doctor's religion?' - because everyone who claims to be a Christian in some or form must know these words Jesus said to his disciples, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

When I went through nursing school, choosing to not provide care for a patient was not an option.   You are told to put your feelings aside, and provide the highest level of care that you are capable of to every patient.  I am shocked that it is an option for doctors.  I think that some nursing boards would actually consider pulling a license for refusing to care for someone based on their identity.  It wouldn't be the first doctor nurse double standard though.

The doctor should lose their medical license.

Quote from: Kylie on April 07, 2015, 07:20:47 PM
When I went through nursing school, choosing to not provide care for a patient was not an option.   You are told to put your feelings aside, and provide the highest level of care that you are capable of to every patient.  I am shocked that it is an option for doctors.  I think that some nursing boards would actually consider pulling a license for refusing to care for someone based on their identity.  It wouldn't be the first doctor nurse double standard though.

Same. The only time I can step away from a pt. is if they're being verbally abusive, aggresive, or don't want me treating them. I've treated neo-Nazis, murderers, rapists, meth addicts, dealers, and everyone of them is treated as any other patient of mine.

Quote from: Eva Marie on February 22, 2015, 12:47:09 AM
Exactly - legalized bigotry masquerading as religious beliefs.

It seems to be getting more and more popular judging by the sheer volume of the proposed legislation i've been seeing lately.

I agree and the 5 members of the so called Supreme Court traveled down this rat hole with the Hobby Lobby decision and an early decision that gave some weird personhood to US corporations.  Now US corporations are also supposedly capable of a religious faith that allows them further opportunities to discriminate at the State level.  It follows by some sad twists that an individual physician would feel emboldened to discriminate against a child with lesbian parents.  I really would rather that Winternight is right and we will hopefully see these righteous discriminators go the historical route of most religious nonsense.  Anyone still praying to Osiris or Zeus?

Fortunately there is some sanity at the corporate level that understands how harmful and "bad for sales and PR" this is for an emerging plutocracy.  cynically yours ;)

That is a pretty repulsive attitude. Especially from a Dr. Even if he has a problem with lesbians, taking it out on the baby is petty. Dr.s take an oath to help people. It seems that this one has either forgotten the oath or doesn't take it seriously. At any rate, I wouldn't go to a Dr. who did something like that.

sam1234

Could you imagine if we allowed ER doctors to refuse to treat LGBT people or the children thereof?

I'd be suing for malpractice and pushing for legislation that expressly forbids this.

Doctors like these have no right to have a license. It's a very inhuman thing to do but unfortunately there are no laws against this.

Not yet, but I hear Michigan is working on one.

Nothing says self-righteous more than refusing to care for helpless children.  I mean, I can just feel the overwhelming morality of this doctor.  This person is the pinnacle of morality.

I think she's a self righteous prick and I'm not supposed to say things like that.

"I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure...."

...except if they're ->-bleeped-<-gots, then screw'em.

Let's take it down a few notches, everyone. I know this topic angers us but let's not let the discussion get out of hand.

Quote from: suzifrommd on February 21, 2015, 04:40:11 PM
A Michigan doctor refuses to treat lesbian couple's baby, citing religion

February 19, 2015 3:29PM ET
by Marisa Taylor

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/19/michigan-doctor-refuses-to-treat-baby-of-lesbians.html (http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/19/michigan-doctor-refuses-to-treat-baby-of-lesbians.html)

A Detroit-area pediatrician refused to treat a newborn baby girl because her parents are lesbians, according to local media reports that have highlighted a lack of legal protections for LGBT people in many states.

Krista and Jami Contreras brought their 6-day-old baby girl to see Dr. Vesna Roi at Eastlake Pediatrics in Roseville, Michigan, for her first checkup in October 2014. They were dismayed when they were greeted by a different pediatrician, who told them Roi had "prayed about it" and decided she could not treat the baby for religious regions, the Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday.

The baby didn't do anything.  What kind of doctor would allow an innocent baby to suffer over bigoted beliefs.

Revoke there license. But we all know that in name of god the most hideous crimes are committed >:(

Echoing Wynternight, lets keep it to the point and not making sweeping statements please  :police:

Taa

Katy

Sigh, I thought being a Doctor was supposed to be about being dedicated to saving human life and being honest and unbiased

Sad where's the babies rights and care?

L Katy :-*

When a doctor takes the Hipocratic oath, it means to treat every person he sees with dignity and respect. In this cas, I believe that he violates that trust. Many people will use religion to justify their own biases. It's nothing new, really.

:)