www.EmploymentCrossing.com Several medical associations and 13 state attorneys general voiced their opposition Wednesday to a proposed federal rule that would open the door for hospitals and physicians to deny access to contraception, according to the Associated Press. Last month the Bush administration proposed stronger job protections for doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions for religious or moral objections. Anti-choice groups called the proposal a victory for the First Amendment; but abortion rights supporters said fear the rule could stretch the definition of abortion to include all birth control. Groups such as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics disagreed say doctors and nurses are already not required to perform abortions or sterilizations. But every health care professional is ethically bound to inform patients about all of their treatment options. If health care professionals cannot or will not provide a certain service, they are ethically obligated to refer patients in a timely manner to someone who can. "Implementation of this regulation would effectively allow health care providers' personal beliefs to override patients' right to full disclosure of accurate information and available health care resources," the medical associations wrote.