Bill allowing denial of medical services based on 'conscience' approved by Arkansas lawmakers

submitted by Nemacolin from msn.com

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[–]one1won 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

OPS own header (in ops article text comment) is pure hyperbole.

This state bill was prompted by the transing children crisis.

Transgender *Privilege* Activists brought this about by chaos-spreading across the globe. These HUGE monied interests are set to demolish societies, and countries! e.g. demolish Freedoms of Speech, Assembly, prisoners safety (US 8th Amendment), etc. TranActivists really don't care about children or anyone else, the agenda matters.

The governor issued the following statement on Friday after signing the new legislation.

"I support this right of conscience so long as emergency care is exempted and conscience objection cannot be used to deny general health service to any class of people. Most importantly, the federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, and national origin continue to apply to the delivery of health care services."

(I'm torn on this legislation, but the self-identified juggernaut must be restrained.)

Edit. Bolding is my own

[–]Nemacolin[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

No Estimate of How Many People Will Die as a Result.

The Arkansas Senate officially passed Senate Bill 289 Thursday, which would allow healthcare workers, hospitals, and insurance providers to deny services to those that violate their "conscience."

The "Medical Ethics and Diversity Act" bill, sponsored by State Rep. Brandt Smith (R-Jonesboro) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R-Benton), allows providers to deny clients of procedures they disagree with based on religious or moral beliefs.

Opponents of the bill say it will lead to discrimination within the workplace, as well as less healthcare options during a time the nation needs it most.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, who supports the bill, responded to the bill's approval by stating, in part:

"No American should be forced to violate their ethical and religious beliefs. Doctors, nurses, and other medical providers should enjoy this same constitutional protection. The MED Act ensures that no medical professional is compelled to breach their oath to ‘do no harm’ by being required to participate in procedures or treatments that violate their conscience."

The counsel also stated the bill would mean fewer healthcare options at a time when the nation is already experiencing a shortage of providers.

The Human Rights Campaign, who opposes the bill, also responded by stating that approval of the bill would bring negative consequences to the LGBTQ+ community.

"In the midst of a devastating and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we should be expanding access to health care and making it more affordable, not advancing bills that make it harder for LGBTQ Arkansans to receive the care they need," stated Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David. "We strongly urge Governor Asa Hutchinson to reject this bill and protect access to care for all Arkansans."

The bill was originally approved by both chambers on March 15, then sent back to the Senate to address amendments that were approved by the House committee.

On March 18, the bill was passed. It now heads Gov. Hutchinson's desk for final approval.

[–]Node 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

No Estimate of How Many People Will Die as a Result.

Sounds like they might decline to cut OPs head off, based on their own sense of morality, rather than just going along with what's best for society.