Keep Health Care Free From Discrimination: Medical Providers Against SB 239
For Immediate Release: March 22, 2024 (Updated: March 22, 2024, 3:12 p.m.)
When health care providers are allowed to deny care and information, patients are put at risk. Senate Bill 239 would allow delayed and substandard medical care, with no protections to ensure patients get the care they need. This will harm Kentuckians, especially people who already face barriers to accessing care, such as people with low incomes or people living in rural areas who can’t easily obtain care elsewhere.
SB 239 would allow any worker in a health care setting to deny services or refuse to perform key aspects of their job for any reason—including prejudice—without repercussion if they can justify it as a “sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical” belief. It also would allow insurance companies to refuse to pay for any service based on virtually any grounds. The definition of “Medical Practitioner” is so broad it applies to any worker in a healthcare setting, from doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to ambulance drivers, dietitians, receptionists, even janitorial staff.
Freedom of religion is important. But religious freedom does not include the right to harm and discriminate against others. Moral objections of health care providers and insurers cannot be prioritized over patients receiving the care they need. Leaders in the health care field, such as the American Medical Association and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, oppose this type of legislation because health care providers have a duty to prioritize their patients’ interests and wellbeing.
Senate Bill 239 is detrimental to our state and more importantly, the people in Kentucky. If enacted, this would be one of the most extreme refusal laws in the country, and it would have far-reaching consequences for patients seeking all kinds of medical care.
As doctors and health care providers, we take an oath to do no harm. We stand united to oppose SB 239 and the harm it will cause to our patients and communities. Please put Kentucky patients first and oppose this dangerous legislation.
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- Michelle Ellisberg, MD, MPH Pediatric
- Monalisa Taylor, MD, Internal Medicine
- Denise Puthuff, MD, Dermatology
- Donald Wilson, MD, FACOG, OB/GYN
- Hannah Bennett, MD, Internal Medicine
- Sara Petruska, MD, OB/GYN
- Laurie Grimes, PhD, MPH, Psychology
- Robin Curry, MD, Sports Medicine
- Diane Buckley, MD, Neonatology
- Colleen Elder, RN, Nursing Education
- Celia O’Brien, MD, OB/GYN
- Lucinda Wright, MD
- Tonda Anderson, MD, Family Medicine
- Natalie Miller, MD, Allergy/Immunology
- Jeanie Greenwell, MSN, RN-BC, Gerontology/Behavioral Health
- Carrie Atzinger, MS, LGC, Genetic Counseling
- Jennifer Koch, MD, Internal Medicine
- Udaya Joseph, MD, Oncology
- Bethanie Morgan, MD, Neurology
- Carolyn Burns, MD, Pathology/Patient Blood Management
- Elizabeth Lehto, DO, Pediatrics
- Katherine Conliffe, DO, Pediatrics
- Jenny Olges, MD, Internal Medicine
- Katelyn Williams, MD, Anesthesia
- Anupa Mandava, MD, Ophthalmology
- Frank Burns, MD, Ophthalmology
- Michael Long, Medical Student, Future Family Medicine
- Elizabeth Elkinson, MD, FACOG, OB/GYN
- Madison Farley, MD
- Alexandra Anderson, DO, Pediatrics
- Libby Mims, MD, Pediatrics
- Miranda Bencomo, MD, Pediatrics
- Lindsay Snow, MD, Family Medicine
- Sarah Mahonski, DO, Pediatrics
- Ana Alvarez, MD, Pediatrics
- Shaquilla Cooper, DSW, LCSW, Behavioral/mental health therapy services
- Mary Barry, MD, Internal Medicine
- Jaseena Elikkottil, MD, Primary Care
- Sagorika Bera, MD, Pediatrics
- Carrie Shepperson, RN, Newborn Nursing
- Mary Henry, MD, Internal Medicine
- Casey Gray, EMT
- Joanne Brown, DNP, APRN, WHNP-C, FNP-C
- Karen Burnett, RN, Substance Use
- Tony Sheppard, PsyD, CGP, ABPP, AGPA-F, Psychology
- Minda Kohner-Coogle, MS, CCC/SLP, Speech Language Pathologist
- Sharlee Burch, RDH, MPH, EdD, Registered Dental Hygienist
- Corey Brown, PharmD, RPh, HIV Prevention
- Chris Mattingly, DMD, MS, Orthodontics
- Shaina Magness, Medical Student
- Crystal Labbato, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, Oncology/Hematology
- Craig Losekamp, MD, Family Medicine
- Urooj Nasim, Medical Student
- Geneva Drane, MA, LPCA
- Mary Perry, NP, Family Medicine
- Sean Reilley, PhD, Inpatient Psychology
- Marsha Hood, retired RN, BSN, CCM, Case Management
- Claire Pfister, DNP, APRN, Family Practice
- William Lyle, PharmD, BCOP, Oncology
- Susan Martin, PharmD, BCPS
- Kellye Ledbetter, MSW, LCSW, Mental Health
- Marina Latiff, retired RN, CCM, Case Management
- Laura Hawley, MD, Family Medicine
- Carol Brees, MD, FACOG, OB/GYN
- Eleanor Short, RN, Contract Nursing
- Caitlin Reichard, Medical Student
- ReAunna Puskac, LPA, Clinical Psychology
- Sara Williams, PhD, CSW, Social Work
- Karen Duckwall, MD, retired OB/GYN
- Debbie Thompson, RPh, Hospital Pharmacy
- April Simmons, LPN, Nursing
- William Thompson, MA, MSSW, BCD, Retired Clinical Social Worker
- Macaulay Hendrix, Medical Student
- Camile Norman, RN, OB-GYN
- Charles Conway, RN, Employee Health, Psychiatric Nursing
- Bridget Pitcock, MSN, FNP-C, AAHIVS, Family practice
- Karen Abrams, MD, Pediatrician
- Edna Gagliano, RN
- Holly Mattingly, Ph.D. Health Service Provider, Clinical Psychology
- Geneva Drane, LPCA, Child, adolescence, college students, and families