Doctors could refuse procedures under Kentucky bill approved by Senate

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – The Kentucky Senate passed legislation Friday that would allow medical professionals to refuse to perform procedures that conflict with their religious and moral beliefs.

Senate Bill 72 cleared the chamber with a 28-5 vote and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. The measure would give healthcare professionals the right to decline participation in services that violate their conscience, except in emergency situations.

Third attempt at passage

For the third year in a row, the Kentucky State Senate has approved a conscience medical bill, although previous versions failed to advance in the House. Leaders with The Family Foundation said they hope this year’s effort will succeed.

Jesse Green, legal counsel for The Family Foundation, said the organization believes individuals should be able to practice their profession without being forced to violate their beliefs.

“It’s simply about protecting the conscience rights of the practitioners and making sure that they don’t have to participate in procedures that they cannot morally agree with,” Green said.

Green described it as a “simple bill” and said other doctors remain available to perform procedures when one declines based on moral objections.

“In those circumstances when a doctor decides that they cannot morally agree with the procedure, there are always other doctors who are available to provide those procedures,” he said.

Opposition concerns

The Fairness Campaign opposes the proposal. Executive Director Chris Hartman said the bill does not reflect Kentucky values.

“We know this is only going to lead to discrimination against marginalized communities, folks of color, patients who are LGBTQ, patients who are immigrants or English second language speakers,” Hartman said.

Hartman challenged claims that alternative providers would be easily accessible, especially in rural areas where specialized healthcare professionals are already scarce.

“What’s more likely to happen is that if someone experiences this type of denial in a doctor’s office, they’re probably just going to stay home rather than seek another physician,” he said.

He said the legislation would create legal discrimination and allow medical professionals to justify prejudices.

Senate Bill 72 has not yet been assigned to a House committee.