Back when the US health care bill was being hotly debated, and the Republicans were doing everything they could think of to stall, one Republican proposed an amendment to make it illegal to prescribe Viagra for a convicted rapist.

Of course they did this so that they could then denounce the Democrats who voted against the amendment.

But think about the implications of this possible law: Would I, if I wanted Viagra, then have to get a letter from my local chief of police certifying that I am not a convicted rapist? Or would the pharmacist have to get an online hookup to the FBI database, so he could check the criminal record of everyone who brought in a prescription? (And anyone else he felt like checking on?)

I don't even want to talk about whether depriving a rapist of Viagra would be an effective way to prevent rape. In my mind, it's immaterial.

I say let the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, hospitals, etc. do whatever their own consciences and code of ethics require (or allow) them to do, and let the government stay the hell out of it.

Our health care providers are mostly pretty good people. They're not all perfect, but on the whole, I trust them more than I trust politicians.