Neeta Patwari

OUTRAGEOUS: A new bill proposed by Florida Republicans, and backed by Ron DeSantis, would give doctors and insurance companies the freedom to deny care to patients who are LGBTQ people or women. The so-called “Protections of Medical Conscience Act” was proposed by the Health & Human Services Committee and Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives. The bill would allow healthcare providers to refuse to treat or pay for the treatment of people based on “conscience-based objections without… threat of adverse actions.” Under the law, doctors and insurance companies could deny treatment and payment if they feel the patient goes against their religious, moral or ethical beliefs. Critics say this would impact women and LGBTQ people directly, as doctors could claim they have religious, moral or ethical objections to treating LGBTQ patients, or providing medical care such as birth control, abortion referrals or gender-affirming care.  The bill also provides doctors and insurance companies with legal protection for their objections, and doesn’t require them to refer their patients to another doctor.