The Wisconsin legislature has been effective in bringing forward pro-life legislation that represents that will of the people. Unfortunately, their Governor, James Doyle, doesn't see it that way. Today he vetoed Assembly Bill 207 (The Conscience Protection Act) authored by Rep. Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville) and Sen. Carol Roessler (R-Oshkosh).
"The Governor has once again decided that it is more important to please his allies in the abortion industry than it is to protect health professionals and facilities from being forced to participate in activities that deliberately destroy human life," said Susan Armacost, Legislative Director for Wisconsin Right to Life, the lead organization promoting AB 207.
AB 207 would protect the right of health care professionals, medical students, health care facilities and medical schools to not be forced to participate in activities that involve the deliberate destruction of human life. The legislation clearly outlines what those activities are � abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, the deliberate destruction of human embryos for research or other purposes, and the use of the body parts of aborted babies.
The legislation would not provide conscience protections for any other activities and the legislation does not prohibit those activities from taking place. Rather, it simply provides conscience protections for those particular health care facilities and facilities that have an objection to the deliberate destruction of human life in these particular ways. In no way would AB 207 prevent any health care professional or facility from engaging in the activities outlined in the bill if they wish to.
"It was an outrage that the governor characterized the legislation as giving the health care community the opportunity to �deny health care based on ideological beliefs,� " said Armacost. "The governor apparently believes that abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, the deliberate destruction of human embryos and the use of the body parts of aborted babies constitute health care. He is truly out of sync with the public on these issues."
"It is clear that we need an individual as governor who respects human life," said Armacost. "We will be back next session with this issue with renewed vigor to see that this measure becomes law."
Source: Wisconsin Right to Life
