In a move that champions the rights of medical professionals, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill into law that safeguards the moral, ethical, and religious convictions of healthcare providers and institutions. Under the new law, healthcare employers cannot take punitive action against employees who, guided by their conscience, refuse to provide certain services.
This law not only extends protection to medical service providers, but also covers entities and individuals responsible for healthcare service payments, such as employers. The legislation aims to ensure that healthcare providers and payors can operate in alignment with their moral, ethical, and religious convictions without fear of discrimination. It offers broad scope for conscience-based objections, potentially encompassing issues such as abortion and sex change procedures, and bolsters free speech protections for medical practitioners.
Endorsements have come from various quarters, with the Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel, Stephanie Nichols, heralding the law as a significant stride in preserving medical conscience and freedom of speech for healthcare providers. Under the new law, any violation of rights can be reported to the attorney general’s office, with the potential for civil damages. However, it’s important to note that existing laws mandating emergency medical treatment from practitioners will remain in effect.