Florida Democrats Fight Back Against a Bill that Would Allow Discrimination in Health Care

Legislation would give providers the right to not participate in any healthcare service that they say violates their faith or their conscience.

A proposal that would expand the ability of doctors and other healthcare providers to refuse to give services based on “faith” or “conscience,” has raised strong vocal opposition from state Democrats, who warn it could open the door to discrimination.

The bill (HB 747) would protect providers and insurers from civil or criminal liability for decisions based on faith, conscience, or moral considerations, and allow them to file lawsuits if they face discipline from employers for refusing to provide services.

State and federal laws already allow healthcare providers to deny some services, such as abortions and contraceptives, based on conscience, according to a House analysis. However, this bill would give providers the right to not participate in “any specific health care service” that they say violates their conscience.

Some Could Face ‘Another Denial of Service’

Opponents of the bill include the Florida Justice Association trial-lawyers organization and Equality Florida, as well as state Democrats such as Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, who said the bill could lead to transgender people being denied life-saving services.

“The health care provider [could have] a moral or ethical objection to their existence and [decide] they don’t want to participate,” Smith said.

“If this bill were to pass, many who already face barriers to care could find yet another denial of service,” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement.

“This is the kind of bill that sows seeds of hate, and this bill is what is wrong with America. It doesn’t delineate specific treatments. It does not protect against negligence. It is fully ambiguous,” said Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton.

But despite objections, last month the Florida House of Representatives Professions & Public Health Subcommittee voted 12-6 to move the bill forward.