Sen. Chuck Winder
An Idaho legislative panel has delayed voting on legislation that would allow health care workers to opt out of providing medicine or treatment if the procedure violated their conscience.
The House State Affairs Committee decided Wednesday to put off a final vote until Thursday after taking 90 minutes of testimony from opponents of the bill. Opponents who testified, including a family physician and an AARP lobbyist, say the bill would threaten the rights of vulnerable patients, such as the poor and elderly.
Boise Republican Sen. Chuck Winder, the bill’s sponsor, is trying protect the rights of nurses and pharmacists opposed to providing care and medication for abortions, stem-cell therapy, emergency contraception or end-of-life care.
The House is now taking up the bill after intense debate in the Senate, which approved it 21-13. (AP)
