September 12, 2003
Senator Michael Crapo
239 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Dear Senator Crapo,
I am writing to say that I OPPOSE the nomination of Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Throughout her career, Judge Kuhl's views and actions in regard to abortion and medical privacy have been quite hostile towards women. In the mid-1980s, she claimed that Roe v. Wade was not a valid decision and should be overturned because "stare decisis" should not apply to this matter. In the early 1990s, she opposed the provision of abortion information in Title X family planning clinics, which would restrict health care providers from providing information about legal abortion to poor women. Finally, she has made unacceptable decisions regarding medical privacy rights, such as in the case of Sanchez-Scott v. Alza Pharmaceuticals. In this case, Judge Kuhl dismissed a breast cancer patient's claim of invasion of privacy when a doctor brought a pharmaceutical sales representative with him into the exam room during her breast exam. The plaintiff was led to believe that the sales representative was a medical colleague of the doctor, but later discovered he was a "drug salesman." Needless to say, she was very upset! On appeal, an appellate court found the behavior a serious invasion of the patient's privacy and reversed Kuhl's improper action.
Senator Crapo, I am a nurse practitioner in women's health care in Idaho and Judge Kuhl's views and actions seriously concern me. I do not want an anti-choice judge on our Circuit Court of Appeals who cannot separate her personal beliefs from her professional position where she will be making legal judgments that can adversely effect so many women and health care providers. Her record clearly demonstrates that she is against women's rights to reproductive choices and privacy.
I urge you to oppose Judge Kuhl's nomination and if necessary, support a filibuster on her vote. Please no not allow this potentially dangerous judge to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her hostility towards women's rights in health care would be detrimental to the women of Idaho.
Sincerely,
Tina Mladenka
Obstetrical-Gynecological Nurse Practitioner
Pocatello, ID
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