Sick, Sick, Sick

This is one of the most vile pieces of legislation I’ve ever heard of. Anyone who helps pass this should rot in hell. (via Atrios) :

Doctors or other health care providers could not be disciplined or sued if they refuse to treat gay patients under legislation passed Wednesday by the Michigan House.

The bill allows health care workers to refuse service to anyone on moral, ethical or religious grounds.

The Republican dominated House passed the measure as dozens of Catholics looked on from the gallery. The Michigan Catholic Conference, which pushed for the bills, hosted a legislative day for Catholics on Wednesday at the state Capitol.

The bills now go the senate, which also is controlled by Republicans.

The Conscientious Objector Policy Act would allow health care providers to assert their objection within 24 hours of when they receive notice of a patient or procedure with which they don’t agree. However, it would prohibit emergency treatment to be refused.

How could anybody support something like this??? I’m at a loss for words here.


posted by greg on April 22, 2004 @ 12:12 pm

7 comments

  1. What we need now are medical workers who object to Catholics. See how they like that.

    Comment by Andrew — April 22, 2004 @ 1:01 pm

  2. Are there doctors who actually support this legislation?

    Comment by Earnest — April 22, 2004 @ 1:15 pm

  3. Andrew, I’m with you on that one. See my site for (less eloquent than Greg’s take on this) more.

    Comment by the Sanctimonious Bastard Ross Lincoln — April 22, 2004 @ 3:19 pm

  4. The “good” news is that the law would allow medical workers to object to Catholics. Or Jews. Or Protestants of a certain stripe. Just not blacks or Hispanics or Asians. The bad news is that Colorado passed a similar law yesterday, though apparently more out of wingnut frustration at the demise of Amendment 2. I’m still not convinced these two incidents, a day apart, aren’t evidence of the VRWC.

    Comment by Michael — April 23, 2004 @ 6:48 am

  5. On pure libertarian grounds, why should the government deny health care workers their freedom of association?

    I think societal and professional pressure is enough for most health care workers to treat everyone with fairness.

    Comment by Andy — April 27, 2004 @ 7:06 am

  6. Because it’s a slippery slope. What if a doctor decides not to treat black people, or poor people? On truly libertarian grounds we don’t need things like the equal rights amendment, societal and professional pressure should keep people from discreminating.

    Comment by andrew — April 27, 2004 @ 9:04 am

  7. why should the government deny health care workers their freedom of association?

    Well, it’s not like these people are trying to start a club or something. Freedom of association doesn’t really extend to the business world. That’s why employers aren’t allowed to discriminate because of race and racist cops aren’t allowed to ignore 911 calls from black people.

    Comment by greg — April 27, 2004 @ 9:22 am

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