Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — The Iowa House has given final approval to a bill that would let health care providers decline to participate in services that violate their ethical, moral or religious beliefs.
Republican Representative Bill Gustoff of Des Moines says it’s one more step Iowa can take to recruit more medical professionals to the state.
The initial “Medical Ethics Defense Act” passed the House a year ago, but Senators made a few adjustments before approving their own version earlier this month.
Senator Jeff Taylor, a Republican from Sioux Center, says 10 states already have similar laws.
The House voted along party lines Monday to approve the senate’s changes and send the bill to the governor.
Representative Austin Baeth, a Democrat from Des Moines who is a physician, says the bill is unnecessary because federal law has protected the conscience of medical providers since 1973.
Senator Matt Blake, a Democrat from Johnston, says single women who are pregnant have been denied medical care in other states with similar laws.
The bill would let individual health care providers as well as clinics and hospitals refuse treatment on moral, religious, or ethical grounds.
KIWA Staff Photo
