House Bill 1153

Background: House Bill 1153 is an act to protect certain rights of health care providers.

Our Stance: The ACLU of South Dakota opposes House Bill 1153.

This bill would allow medical practitioners, health care institutions and health care payers to refuse to provide services based on moral or religious objections. Freedom of religion is one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, but that freedom does not give any of us the right to harm others. Medical standards, not religious or moral beliefs, should guide medical and health care services.