Peace River’s M.L.A. doesn’t feel health care professionals should have to choose between their beliefs and their jobs. That is why Dan Williams introduced Bill 207 – the Conscience Rights Protection Act – in the legislature last week. Williams says the aim of the private member’s bill is to look after health care providers and patients. “When a doctor, a nurse or a medical professional joins that profession for service for our health as Albertans, they don’t check their consciences and they don’t check the charter (of Rights and Freedoms) at the door,” says Williams. The bill states that medical professionals can refuse to offer services to patients that go against their religious beliefs and convictions.
Williams also wants to assure residents that should someone require an abortion, for example, that there will be no changes to access for those services. “The vast majority of these services, Albertans have direct access to. What that means is folks can call Health Link and get direct access or a self-referral, or go to any number of health care providers that will provide that service.” The bill does not require that medical professionals give referrals.
Bill 207 passed its first reading last week and will need to pass a third reading before it becomes law.
-Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
