Looks like the Right wing nuts are at it again. As a gay resident of Michigan this really disturbs me. I have faith that Gov. Granholm will veto this monstrosity if it passes the senate. She has been consistantly progressive on GLBT issues and recently issued an executive order giving worker protections to GLBT state employees.
MICHIGAN HOUSE PASSES BILL ALLOWING DOCTORS TO REFUSE TREATMENT OF GAYS
The Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives passed a
measure today that would allow doctors to refuse to treat gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender patients. The Conscientious Objector Policy
Act provides that health care workers can refuse service to anyone for
moral, ethical, or religious reasons, although the measure would
prohibit the refusal of emergency care.
The bill was strongly supported by the Michigan Catholic Conference, a
conservative religious organization that also hosted a legislative day
for Catholics at the state Capitol today. The bill now goes to the
Republican-controlled Senate, according to 365gay.com.
In addition, three other bills that may affect health care for LGBT
patients were approved by the House today. One would exempt a health
insurer or health facility from providing or covering a health care
procedure that violated ethical, moral or religious principles
reflected in their bylaws or mission statement.
Vocal opponents of the measure included Rep. Chris Kolb, the first
openly gay legislator in Michigan. "Are you telling me that a health
care provider can deny me medical treatment because of my sexual
orientation? I hope not," he asked the House.
OTHER VOICES OF OPPOSITION IN THE MICHIGAN HOUSE:
Rep. Bieda: "I voted against HB 5277 and 5288 because these
organizations already can decide not to offer a particular service, or
coverage for a particular service, and that this legislation is not
needed."
Rep. Meisner: "In order to become a physician, individuals must take
the Hippocratic Oath ... Nowhere in the oath does it say that
physicians shall not treat people whose ethnicity, sexual orientation,
or beliefs they may not agree with or approve of. This package of bills
would amend the Hippocratic Oath in a way that takes rights away from
people in the name of protecting the rights of others. We do not have
the moral or professional standing to do either."
Rep. Kolb: "This bill allows health care providers to deny needed
health care services to any individual not currently protected from
discrimination under the state's Elliot-Larsen civil rights act. Thus,
a health provider could refuse health care to an individual based upon
a patient's actual or perceived sexual orientation. I adamantly oppose
this legislation and believe that this is a very dangerous path for
Michigan to travel down."
RELATED MEDIA COVERAGE
Associated Press - April 22, 2004
"Michigan Votes to Protect Conscience Rights" - by Amy F. Bailey
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/wire/sns-ap-conscientious-objector,0,3050849.story?coll=sns-ap-health-headlines365gay.com - April 22, 2004
"Michigan Preparing to Let Doctors Refuse to Treat Gays"
http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/04/042204MichMed.htm Lansing State Journal - March 28, 2004
"Health morality: 'Objector' bills deserve defeat"
OTHER RELEVANT LINKS:
Full text of bill:
http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/billengrossed/house/htm/2003-HEBH-5006.htmMichigan Catholic Conference Statement:
http://www.micatholicconference.org/home/home.html This publication of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
(GLAAD) can be found here:
http://www.glaad.org/media/newspops_detail.php?id=3659