Christian Doctor Refuses Treatment

This is interesting: Christian pediatrician denies child service because parents are tattooed

BAKERSFIELD - A family is turned away by a local pediatrician, they say because of the way they look.
The doctor said he is just following his beliefs, creating a Christian atmosphere for his patients.
Tasha Childress said it’s discrimination. She said Dr. Gary Merrill wouldn’t treat her daughter for an ear infection because Tasha, the mother, has tattoos. The writing is on the wall—literally: “This is a private office. Appearance and behavior standards apply.” For Dr. Gary Merrill of Christian Medical Services, that means no tattoos, body piercings, and a host of other requirements—all standards Merrill has set based upon his Christian faith.

At first I was like "the slime! how dare he?!" in my outraged tone of voice. Then I considered that as his place of business (Doctor's office, not a hospital) he does have the right to deny service to anyone that walks in off the street. I don't agree with his opinions but he has a right to them.

Childress’ insurance company, Health Net of California, who referred her to Merrill, said in a statement: “We provide our customers with a wide breadth of doctors that meet certain medical quality standards … If a customer doesn’t feel comfortable with a particular physician, it is our responsibility to provide that customer with access to another doctor who does meet their needs.”

I have to blame the insurance company somewhat for having a doctor on their list that would deny service to a patient for something as trivial as tattoos. Hopefully they fix their list and send no more customers his way.

Ultimately I have to say that while I think he is a dirtbag and an idiot for not treating a child because the mother had tattoos, he was in the right to operate his business in this case as he wanted.