New York State Gets Into the Provider Refusal Act.

From Thaddeus Pope at Medical Futility Blog: two NY bills would not only allow doctors or others to deny legal and prescribed treatments to patients, but to also refuse to refer them to a place where they can get those services:

I just noticed this language in N.Y. A.B. 2935 and S.B. 4898, bills aimed at several types of conscientious objection (from abortion, to contraception, to end-of-life):

WHEN PROVIDING A PERSON WITH ANY FORM OF ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION RELATING TO LIFE-SUSTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT IS CONTRARY TO THE CONSCIENCE OR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF ANY PERSON, HE OR SHEMAY REFUSE TO PROVIDE SUCH ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION, OR REFUSE TO REFER A PERSON FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION, AND NO PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HUMAN SERVICES OR HEALTH CARE AGENCY, HOSPITAL, PERSON, FIRM, CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION SHALL DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE PERSON SO REFUSING TO ACT.