State House Advances Bill Allowing Healthcare Providers To Refuse Services on Moral Grounds

Following some amendments, the Arkansas House of Representatives voted 72 to 20 Monday to approve a bill that allows healthcare providers to decline certain non-emergency services based on moral objections. Supporters of Senate Bill 289 say it protects the rights of medical workers, while opponents say it will allow medical workers to discriminate against patients. The bill now heads back to a Senate committee for a vote.