Mo. House passes health-care conscience measure

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Health-care workers could refuse to participate in procedures or research that violates their religious, moral or ethical principles under a measure passed by the Missouri House.

The House sent the measure to the Senate on Tuesday with a 116-41 vote.

Workers seeking to invoke the so-called conscience protection would have to provide reasonable notice.

The measure also would bar discrimination against medical personnel for opting out of certain procedures or research. It would apply to abortions, sterilizations, embryonic stem-cell research, assisted reproduction and contraception. Hospitals, clinics and medical or nursing schools also could refuse to perform procedures that violate the institution's conscience.

Some Democrats who voted against the bill said it could affect patient safety.

Every Southeast Missouri representative voted in favor of the legislation, including Rep. Steve Hodges, D-East Prairie. Hodges is the Democratic nominee for a June special election in Missouri's 8th Congressional District. His Republican opponent, Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, was absent for the vote.

Hodges said he voted yes because he thought the protections in the bill were in the best interest of his constituents.

Hodges on Monday initially voted for ending the debate on the bill and bringing the measure to a vote, a common practice among minority party members.

House members approved similar legislation last year.

Southeast Missourian managing editor Matt Sanders contributed to this report.

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Health care conscience is HB457

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov