Idaho 'health care conscience' bill closer to passing
BOISE - Conservative sponsors of the legislation again this session have been pushing a bill that protects nurses and pharmacists who refuse treatment or medication based on moral and religious grounds.
A similar bill was introduced last year, however died on the senate floor. This version has already cleared the senate and after a 13-5 house committee vote will now go into the final stage on the full house floor.
Anna Ravegum, a Boise woman disagrees with the legislation.
"Medicine has its own code of ethics and religion does not enter into it," she said. "If you want to be a priest, go be a priest."
Felicia Penner, another Boise woman and health care professional agrees and hopes the bill passes.
"Morally they shouldn't feel obligated to do something that will keep them up and night like, 'oh my gosh, I'm going to hell now.'"
Democrats who voted against the bill say this will make it harder for vulnerable patients like the elderly and rape victims to gain the medicine they need.
A similar bill was introduced last year, however died on the senate floor. This version has already cleared the senate and after a 13-5 house committee vote will now go into the final stage on the full house floor.
Anna Ravegum, a Boise woman disagrees with the legislation.
"Medicine has its own code of ethics and religion does not enter into it," she said. "If you want to be a priest, go be a priest."
Felicia Penner, another Boise woman and health care professional agrees and hopes the bill passes.
"Morally they shouldn't feel obligated to do something that will keep them up and night like, 'oh my gosh, I'm going to hell now.'"
Democrats who voted against the bill say this will make it harder for vulnerable patients like the elderly and rape victims to gain the medicine they need.