Wisconsin Health Workers Not Allowed to Opt Out of Procedures

Wisconsin’s governor vetoed a bill Friday that would have allowed healthcare workers to opt out of half a dozen procedures -- including withdrawing a person’s feeding tube and using embryonic stem cells -- on religious or moral grounds.

The “conscience clause” also would have protected medical workers against punishment from bosses or state regulators if they refused to refer people elsewhere to get the procedures.

“Because it puts a doctor’s political views ahead of the best interests of patients, this legislation ought to be called the ‘unconscionable clause,’ ” Gov. James Doyle, a Democrat, said in a statement. “It is a disservice to patients and to our healthcare system.”

Under current state law, medical workers can opt out of abortions and sterilization procedures on moral or religious grounds without fear of reprisal from employers or state examining boards and licensing agencies. The vetoed measure laid out six more procedures that workers could refuse for ethical objections.