Medical Conscience Protection Act Heard in House and Senate Committees

HB 1403 (Rudman) and SB 1580 (Trumbull) provide health care providers and payors with the right to opt out of participation in, or payment for, any health care service on the basis of conscience. The bill also creates whistleblower protections for health care providers and payors who provide information regarding violations of medical conscience protections. 
The bill also includes a cause of action for violations of medical conscience protections and a free speech component that protects individuals from disciplinary actions by medical boards or associations for speaking or writing publicly about a health care service provided that the individual’s speech is not medical advice or treatment provided to a specific patient. The FCCB has long supported the conscience provisions of the bill.
On Monday, HB 1403 was found favorable by the House Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee by a 12-5 vote. SB 1580 was approved by the Senate Health Policy Committee by a 9-3 vote on Tuesday.