Health care; granting certain protections and immunities to health care institutions and health care payors; prohibiting certain discrimination. Effective date.
Impact
If passed, SB1883 would amend the Oklahoma Statutes to codify these protections, significantly impacting existing state laws regarding health care services. The legislation would ensure that medical professionals, along with health care institutions and payors, cannot face disciplinary action from licensing boards for refusing to provide services that they believe are contrary to their moral beliefs. This could potentially reshape patient care practices and the dynamics between health care providers and regulatory bodies, focusing more on the beliefs of the providers rather than the patients' needs.
Summary
Senate Bill 1883, introduced by Senator Rosino, focuses on granting specific protections and immunities to health care institutions, practitioners, and payors. The bill establishes rights for these entities to refuse participation in certain health care services that conflict with their conscience. It categorizes 'conscience' broadly, encompassing ethical, moral, or religious beliefs, and seeks to prevent discrimination against practitioners based on such refusals. The protections extend to shielding medical practitioners from reprisals, such as loss of licensure or employment, should they choose not to engage in particular medical services on conscience grounds.
Contention
Notably, the bill could generate substantial contention within the legislature and the broader community, as it introduces the idea of institutional conscience in healthcare. Proponents argue that these measures are vital for protecting individual rights and beliefs, potentially leading to a safer environment for practitioners to operate according to their principles. Conversely, opponents might raise concerns about the implications for patient care, suggesting that such protections could allow for the refusal of services based on personal beliefs rather than medical necessity, potentially jeopardizing access to vital health care services for certain populations.
Freedom of conscience; creating the Medical Ethics Defense Act; granting certain rights and protections to certain medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, or healthcare payers. Effective date.
Health care; prohibiting provision of certain services to minor; authorizing certain civil action; authorizing reward of certain damages or relief; creating certain criminal offense and penalty. Effective date.
Health care; prohibiting provision of certain services to minor; authorizing certain civil action; authorizing reward of certain damages or relief; creating certain criminal offense and penalty. Effective date.
Health care; prohibiting provision of certain services to minor; authorizing certain civil action; authorizing reward of certain damages or relief. Effective date.
Hospitals; requiring Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to distribute emergency opioid antagonists to hospitals; requiring hospitals to distribute emergency opioid antagonist to certain persons upon discharge except under certain conditions; granting certain immunities. Effective date.
Health care; minor self-consent to health services; granting certain protections to parent or legal guardian related to medical records; effective date.
Health care; granting certain protections to health care institutions and health care payors; civil actions; discrimination; protections; effective date.
Freedom of conscience; creating the Medical Ethics Defense Act; granting certain rights and protections to certain medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, or healthcare payers. Effective date.
Health care; granting certain rights and protections to health care institutions and payors; prohibiting certain discrimination and adverse actions. Effective date.
Higher education; allowing certain institutions of higher education to require employees to complete certain training; providing for optional training. Effective date. Emergency.
Higher education; allowing certain institutions of higher education to require employees to complete certain training; providing for optional training. Effective date. Emergency.
Freedom of conscience; creating the Medical Ethics Defense Act; granting certain rights and protections to certain medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, or healthcare payers. Effective date.
Freedom of conscience; creating the Medical Ethics Defense Act; granting certain rights and protections to certain medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, or healthcare payers. Effective date.