On July 13, the House approved, 245-182, amendments to S. 304, the Abortion Objection Conscience Protection Act. Originally introduced by Sen. John Thune (R-SD) as the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act, the House amended the bill to prohibit the government from penalizing health care and insurance providers who refuse to provide, cover, or refer for, abortion services.
The measure would establish a civil cause of action for insurance providers and practitioners who are penalized for refusing to provide such services. Among other provisions, the legislation stipulates that it would not prevent practitioners from providing, insurance providers from covering, or accrediting agencies from setting standards for medical professionals who perform, abortions.
