Politics
Thursday February 26, 2004
Wisconsin Assembly Ushers In Nation's Most Comprehensive Conscience Clause Bill
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MADISON, February 26, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Wisconsin Assembly approved a conscience clause bill Tuesday which would protect health care professionals and facilities from penalties for refusing to be involved with abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia and unethical medical experiments involving the deliberate destruction of in vitro human embryos or the use of tissue from aborted babies.
The bill was approved by the Senate on February 4th by a vote of 20 to 13.
The new law replaces one that has been in existence since the early 1970's, but was, according to Rep. Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville), lead sponsor of the bill, not well-defined or comprehensive enough in light of changes in reproductive technologies and public policy since the original bill came into existence.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin was critical of the new clause, arguing that it will discriminate against women and undermine their access to abortion. Lisa Boyce, spokesperson for the state's leading abortion provider said that "No one should allow their personal beliefs to trump what is best for a woman's health."
"No procedures are being denied, and women's health will be maintained, but the individuals who perform those things will be protected," Hundertmark said in defence of the new legislation.
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, who has opposed similar measures in the past, said "I don't think people's health care should be determined on the whims of a health care provider. I've generally opposed these kinds of bills as getting in the way of good health care in the U.S," he said.
In the event that Doyle vetoes the bill, two-thirds of the assembly's vote - 66 of 99 voters - would be needed to override it.
Read local coverage at: http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/feb04/210064.asp
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage at: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/feb/04020603.html
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