The New Hampshire House of Representatives has tabled (suspended the legislative process) HB 1653, which was proposed to ensure freedom of conscience for medical professionals in the state.
Missouri House and Senate pass protection of conscience bills
House Bill 1541 has been passed by the Missouri House of Representatives. The bill defines ‘conscience’ as “the religious, moral, or ethical principles held by a medical professional or a health care institution.” The bill ensures that individuals and institutions cannot be compelled to participate in a number of defined procedures or research activities to which they object for reasons of conscience, and protects them against discrimination. Meanwhile, the Missouri Senate passed SB749, a bill drafted to prevent employers from being forced to provide insurance coverage for abortion, contraception or sterilization.[Missourian]
Protection of conscience bill passes in Kansas
The Kansas House of Represtentatives has passed a Substitute for SB62. The bill provides protection for conscientious objection by individuals or institutions to participation in or referral for procedures, drugs or devices that may terminate pregnancies. [NECN.com]
Quebec euthanasia proposal challenged as unbalanced
Margaret Somerville, founding Director of McGill University’s Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law, criticizes the report of Quebec’s Select Committee on Dying with Dignity on the ground that it is unbalanced “and reads rather like a pro-euthanasia manifesto.” She notes that two thirds of the submissions received by the Committee opposed euthansia. [The Gazette]
U.S. Supreme Court begins hearing on federal health care reforms
The U.S. Supreme Court has commenced three days of hearings in a suit brought against the health care reform legislation that is generating significant controversy in the United States, much of it to do with general claims to freedom of conscience and religion. 26 state attorneys general have challenged the constitutionality of the legislation, and amicus briefs have been filed by seven medical organizations.[National Post]