No Health Care for Michigan Gays?

Via Atrios.

This is unbelievable.

Doctors or other health care providers could not be disciplined or sued if they refuse to treat gay patients under legislation passed Wednesday by the Michigan House.

The bill allows health care workers to refuse service to anyone on moral, ethical or religious grounds.

The Republican dominated House passed the measure as dozens of Catholics looked on from the gallery. The Michigan Catholic Conference, which pushed for the bills, hosted a legislative day for Catholics on Wednesday at the state Capitol.

The bills now go the Senate, which also is controlled by Republicans.

The Conscientious Objector Policy Act would allow health care providers to assert their objection within 24 hours of when they receive notice of a patient or procedure with which they don't agree. However, it would prohibit emergency treatment to be refused.

Three other three bills that could affect LGBT health care were also passed by the House Wednesday which would exempt a health insurer or health facility from providing or covering a health care procedure that violated ethical, moral or religious principles reflected in their bylaws or mission statement.

Opponents of the bills said they're worried they would allow providers to refuse service for any reason. For example, they said an emergency medical technicians could refuse to answer a call from the residence of gay couple because they don't approve of homosexuality.

…Other opponents of the bills said they're worried they would allow providers to refuse service for any reason. For example, they said an emergency medical technicians could refuse to answer a call from the residence of gay couple because they don't approve of homosexuality.

Democratic Rep. Chris Kolb of Ann Arbor, the first openly gay legislator in Michigan, pointed out that while the legislation prohibits racial discrimination by +health+ care providers, it does not ban discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation.

"Are you telling me that a health care provider can deny me medical treatment because of my sexual orientation? I hope not," he said. [emphasis mine].

This literally makes me want to vomit.

Here's my question for the Michigan Catholics who supported this bill. Was there anyone that Jesus refused to heal? Whom did he turn away?

For once, I am completely, and utterly speechless. This is just another example of how compassionate conservatism is a crock of shit.

Update: Apparently, the law bars health care providers from refusing service to those who belong to protected classes under Michigan law. Gays, however, are not protected from discrimination under Michigan law. So under this law, gays can be denied services by health care providers who morally object to homosexuality.

Comments

[ninaradio]

That makes me want to wretch, maybe especially because I'm Christian (Presybterian, to be specific), and I'm seeing my faith convoluted and twisted into something that it was never meant to be. Once again, the religious right's idea of Christianity has more in common with the Pharisees of the Gospels than it does with Christ himself. What pops to mind for me is the parable of the Good Samaritan-rather than being the man Jesus put forward as a good example, the humble outcast who helped a stranger in his hour of need, this Michigan group has chosen to play the role of the religous leader who was scared to defile his holy, clean self by touching a needy person who may be too great a sinner. I'm absolutely disgusted.

[Wingnut]

Actually, it's not about bigotry, it's about abortion. Nurses have been fired for refusing to assist in third-trimester abortions. Medical schools have been threatened with losing their accreditaion unless they force all their students to be trained in abortion.

Why don't you read the text of the proposed law?

[Terrance]

I've seen it. The law bars health care providers from refusing service to people who belong to protected classes under Michigan law. Gays are not protected from discrimination under Michigan law. Thus gays can be denied health care services by providers who are morally opposed to homosexuality.

[Reney]

I'm a nurse and I'm disgusted by this law. I take offense at the suggestion that it was created because of abortion. If so, why does it seem to target gays? The two have nothing to do with each other except that they're the favored targets of religious zealots who think they know everything.

But think about it this way - I don't know many healthcare professionals who would refuse service to gays, but I do know some who might be tempted to refuse service to other "unprotected" classes like pedophiles or drunks. HMMM - "let he who is without sin cast the first stone".

[BoobSquad]

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