Bill > S641

Introduced Session

AN ACT TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS, AND HEALTH CARE PAYERS. Whereas, the right of conscience is a fundamental and unalienable right, and was central to the founding of the United States of America and deeply rooted in the United States' history and tradition for centuries; and Whereas, despite its preeminent importance, however, threats to the right of conscience of medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payers have become increasingly common and severe in recent years. The swift pace of scientific advancement and the expansion of medical capabilities—along with the mistaken notion that medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payers are mere public utilities—promise only to make the current crisis worse, unless something is done to restore conscience to its rightful place; and Whereas, it is the public policy of the State of North Carolina to protect the right of conscience for medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payers; and Whereas, the right of conscience is fundamental, and no medical practitioner, health care institution, or health care payer should be compelled to participate in a health care service that they object to on the basis of conscience, whether such conscience is informed by religious, moral, ethical, or philosophical beliefs or principles; and Whereas, it is the purpose of this act to protect medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payers from discrimination, punishment, or retaliation as a result of an instance of conscientious medical objection; Now, therefore,

AI Summary

Ralph Hise (R)*,  Buck Newton (R)*,  Norman Sanderson (R)*,  Ted Alexander (R),  Joyce Krawiec (R),  Tim Moffitt (R),  Paul Newton (R),  Brad Overcash (R),  Benton Sawrey (R), 

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (on 04/06/2023)

Official Document