The state is considering a bill that is intended to provide insurers and health care providers choice
A Florida bill currently under consideration is aiming to provide doctors and health insurance companies in the state permission to drop a patient or to
choose not to pay for their health care. Based on what is being referred to as a conscience based objection
concern was immediately raised regarding the risk of discrimination if hb 1403 were to pass the highly controversial HB 1403 could
leave the door open for a broad spectrum of discrimination against minority groups
women or people in the LGBTQ community. This could place the health care or health insurance coverage for these groups in peril
The wording of the bill presents doctors and insurers with the ability to deny treatment
If they determine that a patient's care is in contradiction with their moral religious or ethical beliefs
As a result, a patient with a different moral religious or ethical belief system than their health care provider or insurer could risk being denied
care or coverage for care provided health insurance companies, patients and health care providers alike have voiced deep concern
Samaritan Health and Wellness Clinic operator, nurse practitioner, Dr Sue Hook said that hb 1 403 is in opposition to everything she has learned in
her four decades in health care. I have my belief system and my morals and ethics
but I'm going to take care of people regardless of who they are and what they believe said
Dr Hook. The bill would also give doctors and health insurance companies legal protection for the decisions they make to deny care or coverage
Based on a conscience based objection, the bill does not require a physician to refer a patient to another health care provider
If they decide not to provide that patient with care. Based on a conscience based objection
this raises concerns for minorities, women and people in the LGBTQ community
I think professionals should treat everyone, but if they can't treat them and be professional and ethical and non judgmental
they need to refer them to someone else. Said, Dr Laura Streff, a mental health counselor
It's the prejudice that's creating the bills. The bills aren't creating the prejudice
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