© 2024 KUAF
NPR Affiliate since 1985
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

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

Stock Image

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.

Jacqueline Froelich is an investigative reporter and news producer for Ozarks at Large.
Related Content