Governor Signs Bill Letting Medical Providers Refuse Care on Moral, Religious Grounds

The Medical Ethics and Diversity Act sponsored by state Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, enables health care institutions and medical providers to refuse to give care to a patient, even when medically necessary, for moral or religious reasons – except in an emergency. Dr. Joe Thompson, CEO and President of Arkansas Center for Health Improvement in Little Rock, says the new law is extremely broad and has the potential to cause harm.