About Conscience Clauses

Continuing this conversation, here is a list of Conscience Clauses- laws and proposed legislation based on a pharmacists moral objections to various family planning methods (Plan B and birth control the chief issues).

Ohio is not listed as currently legislating Conscience Clauses- yet. I guess we’re lucky?

Some rules for and against moral objections.

  • California
    - pharmacists have a duty to dispense prescriptions and can only refuse to dispense a prescription, including contraceptives, when their employer approves the refusal and the woman can still access her prescription in a timely manner. [Law]
  • Georgia
    - provides that a pharmacist shall not be required to fill a prescription for an emergency contraceptive drug; provides that such refusal shall not be the basis for any claim for damages; provides for the duration of the effectiveness of the written objection; provides for related matters; repeals conflicting laws. [Admin. Code Code § 480-5-.03]
  • Mississippi
    - permits health care providers, including pharmacists or other pharmacy employees, counselors, social workers, health insures and health care facilities to refuse to provide [any] medical services, including counseling and referral, on religious or ethical grounds. [Code Ann. § 41-41-215]
  • Texas
    - Would allow a pharmacist to refuse, for moral or ethical reasons, to dispense a prescription drug if the pharmacist follows the policies and procedures established by the pharmacy in which the pharmacist practices to ensure a patient has reasonable access to a valid prescription at that pharmacy or another pharmacy. [Proposed. Still in committee.
  • New York
    - Would prohibit pharmacists from refusing to dispense medication solely for philosophical, moral, or religious reasons. [Proposed. Still in committee.]
    - Would establish duties for pharmacies when pharmacists employed by such pharmacy refuse to fill prescriptions on the basis of personal beliefs. [Proposed. Still in committee.]

This is a list of the states from where most of my regular commenters hail. If yours isn’t listed follow the link to see if pharmacists and other health care personnel are allowed to refuse to provide you with contraceptives and/or “family planning” services.1

This is just another way for me to illustrate that this isn’t just about Roe vs. Wade anymore. Even if you’re a woman that has never had or will never have an abortion, your right to proper reproductive health care is at risk (unless you live in California, in which case pffft).

A lot of states just have bills and recommendations sitting around with nothing really happening with them. However, that could change with the redefining of the meaning of “birth control” proposed by King George. It’s a little nerve wracking to know that there are so few outside of the rad fem blogosphere and legislative offices that even realize this kind of uterine invasion is happening. It’s really not just about abortion anymore.

  1. Please don’t fail to let me know if I’ve misinterpreted something. It’s kind of late in Jinxverse right now. []

Related posts:

  1. Next up…Antibiotics
  2. An update and some old stuff
  3. Caring for Your Uterus…for You
  4. McCain: Warrior against Women
  5. When a Choice Isn’t
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
This blog is protected by Dave\'s Spam Karma 2: 319 Spams eaten and counting...

Bad Behavior has blocked 290 access attempts in the last 7 days.