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.
“One in five medical students report choosing not to practice in certain fields due to hostility to their beliefs,” Gustoff said. “Nine out of 10 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who identify as religious or faith based say they’d rather stop practicing medicine rather than violate their ethical, moral or religious beliefs.”
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. 10 states have similar laws. The House voted along party lines yesterday (Monday) to approve the senate’s changes and send the bill to the governor. Democrats say federal law already protects medical conscience.
