Keep Health Care Free From Discrimination: Medical Providers Against SB 239
 

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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1. Michelle Ellisberg, MD, MPH Pediatric
2. Monalisa Taylor, MD, Internal Medicine
3. Denise Puthuff, MD, Dermatology
4. Donald Wilson, MD, FACOG, OB/GYN
5. Hannah Bennett, MD, Internal Medicine
6. Sara Petruska, MD, OB/GYN
7. Laurie Grimes, PhD, MPH, Psychology
8. Robin Curry, MD, Sports Medicine
9. Diane Buckley, MD, Neonatology
10. Colleen Elder, RN, Nursing Education
11. Celia O’Brien, MD, OB/GYN
12. Lucinda Wright, MD
13. Tonda Anderson, MD, Family Medicine
14. Natalie Miller, MD, Allergy/Immunology
15. Jeanie Greenwell, MSN, RN-BC, Gerontology/Behavioral Health
16. Carrie Atzinger, MS, LGC, Genetic Counseling
17. Jennifer Koch, MD, Internal Medicine
18. Udaya Joseph, MD, Oncology
19. Bethanie Morgan, MD, Neurology
20. Carolyn Burns, MD, Pathology/Patient Blood Management
21. Elizabeth Lehto, DO, Pediatrics
22. Katherine Conliffe, DO, Pediatrics
23. Jenny Olges, MD, Internal Medicine
24. Katelyn Williams, MD, Anesthesia
25. Anupa Mandava, MD, Ophthalmology
26. Frank Burns, MD, Ophthalmology
27. Michael Long, Medical Student, Future Family Medicine
28. Elizabeth Elkinson, MD, FACOG, OB/GYN
29. Madison Farley, MD
30. Alexandra Anderson, DO, Pediatrics
31. Libby Mims, MD, Pediatrics
32. Miranda Bencomo, MD, Pediatrics
33. Lindsay Snow, MD, Family Medicine
34. Sarah Mahonski, DO, Pediatrics
35. Ana Alvarez, MD, Pediatrics
36. Shaquilla Cooper, DSW, LCSW, Behavioral/mental health therapy services
37. Mary Barry, MD, Internal Medicine
38. Jaseena Elikkottil, MD, Primary Care
39. Sagorika Bera, MD, Pediatrics
40. Carrie Shepperson, RN, Newborn Nursing
41. Mary Henry, MD, Internal Medicine
42. Casey Gray, EMT
43. Joanne Brown, DNP, APRN, WHNP-C, FNP-C
44. Karen Burnett, RN, Substance Use
45. Tony Sheppard, PsyD, CGP, ABPP, AGPA-F, Psychology
46. Minda Kohner-Coogle, MS, CCC/SLP, Speech Language Pathologist 
47. Sharlee Burch, RDH, MPH, EdD, Registered Dental Hygienist 
48. Corey Brown, PharmD, RPh, HIV Prevention 
49. Chris Mattingly, DMD, MS, Orthodontics
50. Shaina Magness, Medical Student
51. Crystal Labbato, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, Oncology/Hematology
52. Craig Losekamp, MD, Family Medicine
53. Urooj Nasim, Medical Student
54. Geneva Drane, MA, LPCA
55. Mary Perry, NP, Family Medicine
56. Sean Reilley, PhD, Inpatient Psychology
57. Marsha Hood, retired RN, BSN, CCM, Case Management
58. Claire Pfister, DNP, APRN, Family Practice
59. William Lyle, PharmD, BCOP, Oncology
60. Susan Martin, PharmD, BCPS
61. Kellye Ledbetter, MSW, LCSW, Mental Health
62. Marina Latiff, retired RN, CCM, Case Management 
63. Laura Hawley, MD, Family Medicine
64. Carol Brees, MD, FACOG,  OB/GYN
65. Eleanor Short, RN, Contract Nursing
66. Caitlin Reichard, Medical Student
67. ReAunna Puskac, LPA, Clinical Psychology 
68. Sara Williams, PhD, CSW, Social Work
69. Karen Duckwall, MD, retired OB/GYN 
70. Debbie Thompson, RPh, Hospital Pharmacy
71. April Simmons, LPN, Nursing
72. William Thompson, MA, MSSW, BCD, Retired Clinical Social Worker
73. Macaulay Hendrix, Medical Student
74. Camile Norman, RN, OB-GYN
75. Charles Conway, RN, Employee Health, Psychiatric Nursing
76. Bridget Pitcock, MSN, FNP-C, AAHIVS, Family practice
77. Karen Abrams, MD, Pediatrician
78. Edna Gagliano, RN
79. Holly Mattingly, Ph.D. Health Service Provider, Clinical Psychology
80. Geneva Drane, LPCA, Child, adolescence, college students, and families