By Tim Talley Associated Press Writer OKLAHOMA CITY — As the Oklahoma Legislature’s only physician, Rep. Doug Cox often is sought out for counsel and advice on matters of public health. But Cox’s colleagues in the state House have largely ignored him and other medical professionals as they debate proposed anti-abortion regulations that, among other things, would bar state hospitals, clinics and workers from performing abortions at state expense unless the mother’s life is threatened. Cox and other doctors believe the measure, overwhelmingly passed by the House and awaiting final passage in the Senate, will drive a wedge between them and their pregnant patients and cut off treatment for women with troubled pregnancies who are uninsured or underinsured. “I consider myself to be pro-life. But I want to be pro-life with compassion,” said Cox, R-Grove, an emergency medicine physician at Integris Grove General Hospital who said he has delivered hundreds of babies and never performed an abortion. Read more...

Labels: OK House, Rep. Doug Cox

Posted at 4/09/2007 09:21:00 AM