Connecticut House Bill HB06374

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/20/23

Caption

An Act Concerning Patient Access To Reproductive Health Care.

Impact

Should HB06374 be enacted, it will change existing laws regarding the obligations of healthcare providers in relation to reproductive health services. Providers will have the legal duty to inform patients of their personal or institutional moral standpoints. They must also refer patients to other healthcare providers should they refuse to provide the expected standard of care due to these beliefs. This amendment seeks to protect patients from being denied access to critical health services based on their providers' beliefs.

Summary

House Bill HB06374 focuses on enhancing patient access to reproductive health care by mandating that health providers, institutions, and pharmacists deliver accurate and unbiased information to patients. The intent of the bill is to ensure that individuals have the necessary information to make informed healthcare decisions without facing impediments related to their providers' moral or religious beliefs. It establishes a clear framework for what is expected from healthcare providers in terms of patient communication and referrals.

Contention

The bill may incite significant debate among various stakeholders, especially surrounding the balance between protecting patient access to healthcare and respecting the moral or religious beliefs of providers. Proponents argue that the bill is necessary to safeguard patient rights and access to essential reproductive health services. In contrast, opponents might raise concerns about the implications for individual providers' rights to exercise their beliefs, potentially leading to conflicts between patient rights and healthcare provider autonomy.