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Senate approves Medical Ethics Defense Act after lengthy debate over conscience protections
Summary
House Bill 59, the Medical Ethics Defense Act, passed the Idaho Senate on March 10, 2025, expanding conscience protections for health‑care providers and entities. The floor debate included supporters who framed it as free‑speech and conscience protections and opponents who warned it could restrict patient access to care.
The Idaho Senate passed House Bill 59 as amended on March 10, 2025, approving a measure that broadens legal protections for health‑care professionals and health‑care entities that refuse to participate in non‑emergency procedures on conscience grounds.
Sponsor and supporters: Senator Biocchi (presenter) described the bill as intended to “protect conscience rights of health care professionals and health care entities,” telling colleagues the legislation prevents providers and institutions from being forced to participate in non‑emergency procedures that would violate…
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