Ohio passes bill allowing doctors to refuse procedures that violate their beliefs
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a state budget last week that, among other things, allows for medical professionals and insurers to be excused from performing procedures that conflict with their religious beliefs.
The operating budget, also known as Amended Substitute House Bill Number 110, was signed by DeWine last Wednesday. The bill faced criticism from progressive groups that expressed concern about the conscience clause.
In advance of the bill’s signing, the Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union took issue with the added conscience protection language. The organisation claims the provision will be used to advance discrimination.
The measure comes as there have been legal battles in recent years based on religious healthcare providers’ objections to Obama-era nondiscrimination policies that required them to perform medical procedures against their religious convictions, such as sex-change surgeries or abortion.
Source: christianpost.com
