Adds to existing law to enact the Medical Ethics Defense Act.

The freedom to live and work consistent with one’s conscience is fundamental to our society. No where is that more important than in health care, where doctors and nurses must be able to follow the Hippocratic Oath to “Do No Harm.” The purpose of this legislation is to recognize and protect the rights of conscience for health carepractitionersandhealthcareentitieswhentheyareaskedtoprovidemedicalserviceswhichgoagainsttheir conscience. There are provisions to prevent discrimination or retaliation, and the legislation provides for a civil action for damages. Our state deals with physician and nursing shortages, and we should not be pushing people out of the practice of medicine and limiting access to care because there are particular medical procedures that they cannot in good faith provide. When we protect rights of conscience for health care practitioners and health care institutions, we are really protecting the quality of care that will be available to our families for years to come.