Senate Bill 136 has been approved by the Michigan Senate Health Policy Committee and will move to a vote in the state senate. The bill provides protection for health care payers, purchasers, providers, and institutions. A Michigan Radio report incorrectly states that the bill requires referral by objecting health care workers.
Tag: Michigan
Religious Liberty and Conscience Protection Act
Michigan House Bill 136 (2013)
A bill to protect religious liberty and rights of conscience in the areas of health care and medical and scientific research as it pertains to employment, education and training, and participating in health care services and to the purchasing of or providing for the
purchase of health insurance; to provide immunity from liability; and to prescribe penalties and provide remedies. Text of Bill
Protection of conscience bill moves forward in Michigan
The Religious Liberty Protection Act has been passed by the Michigan Senate by a vote of 26-12. It must now be considered by the state House of Representatives. [Associated Press]
Seven states file lawsuit against Obama administration health care plan
Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida and Texas have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and the U.S. Department of Labor and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. The suit alleges violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act through the HHS birth control mandate that will force insurance coverage for surgical sterilization, contraceptives and embryocides.[CNN]
Bills in states proposed in reaction to controversial federal birth control mandate
Following a hearing held by a committee of the Idaho legislature, Rep. Carlos Bilbao will revise a bill he has proposed to prevent a federal birth control regulation from forcing objecting employers to provide insurance for surgical sterilization, contraceptives, and embryocidal drugs. [Deseret News] Senator John Moolenaar has introduced the Religious Liberty and Conscience Protection Act in the Michigan state legislature [Midland Daily News]. It is a broad protection of conscience bill that covers individual health care providers and facilities,both with respect to direct participation and direct or indirect payment for objectionable procedures. Bills have also been proposed in Missouri and Arizona to counter the federal regulation. If the bills pass, the federal government may go to court to have them struck down in order to enforce the federal law. [ABC News]