Oppose HB 5516 - Protect religious freedom
House Bill 5516 - "AN ACT CONCERNING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS" is an attack on religious liberty
HB 5516 is a priority bill of the legislative Reproductive Rights Caucus and abortion and transgender advocates. The intent of the bill is to undermine the "Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Services" that all Catholic hospitals follow. These provisions prohibit Catholic hospitals and their employees from assisting or providing care to a patient who is seeking an abortion or gender- affirming care. If this bill passes the religious rights of Catholic hospitals will be at risk.
Under HB 5516 any provider working at a Catholic hospital would be able to assist a patient in obtaining an abortion or gender-affirming care and not face disciplinary action. This bill has a serious potential of opening the door to allow providers to prescribe the abortion pill and gender transitioning drugs.
HB 5516 would prohibit the hospitals from reprimanding a medical provider for their involvement in providing services related to abortion or gender-affirming care.
HB 5516 is a blatant and unnecessary backdoor attack on Catholic healthcare and religious freedom in our state. Connecticut has numerous other medical providers in our state making this attack totally unwarranted.
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