Iowa Senate Bill SF297

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/15/23
• Refer: 6/5/23
• Refer: 2/15/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the protection of religious beliefs and moral convictions of health care providers and health care facilities.

Impact

The implications of SF297 extend to both individual practitioners and health care institutions. It prohibits discrimination against health care providers who refuse to perform services that violate their religious or moral convictions. Health care facilities that are not publicly controlled are similarly exempt from obligations to perform or refer for such medical actions without risking civil liabilities or disciplinary actions. This reinforces a legal framework that prioritizes individuals' rights to their beliefs over the obligations of health care provision in certain cases.

Summary

Senate File 297 focuses on the protection of religious beliefs and moral convictions of health care providers and facilities within the state. The bill introduces amendments to existing legislation, particularly Code section 146.1, which pertains to the liability of individuals involved in abortion services. It reinforces the notion that health care professionals should be allowed to act in accordance with their personal beliefs, which proponents argue is essential for them to fulfill their obligation to 'do no harm.' This legislation categorically ensures that health care providers can refuse to participate in any medical procedures, treatments, or referrals that conflict with their religious or moral views, regardless of whether they work in public or private facilities.

Contention

Notably, the bill replaces previous legal definitions related to abortion and complicates the existing framework around reproductive health services. Critics may raise concerns about the potential for this legislation to impede access to certain medical services, which could disproportionately affect patients seeking care that health care providers may refuse to offer based on their beliefs. This has generated considerable debate about the balance between the rights of health care providers and the rights of patients to access comprehensive medical care, raising ethical questions about the extent to which personal beliefs should intersect with medical practice.