Arkansas ‘Medical Conscience’ Bill Takes Step Closer To Governor’s Desk

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: House OKs Bill On Medical Providers' Conscience
A bill that would allow health care workers, hospitals and insurance providers to decline to provide services that violate their conscience has passed in both chambers of the Arkansas Legislature. Senate Bill 289 by Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, called the "Medical Ethics and Diversity Act," would allow providers to opt out of procedures they don't agree with based on their religious or moral beliefs. Co-sponsor Rep. Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro, said the bill gives a remedy to those providers to defend themselves and emphasized that the legislation is procedure-specific, while opponents of the bill say it's unnecessary and will lead to discrimination. (Herzog, 3/16)

AP: W.Va. Receives $12.4M For Substance Abuse, Mental Health
West Virginia received two federal grants totaling $12.4 million for substance abuse prevention and treatment and for mental health services. U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced the grants to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services on Monday in a joint news release. (3/16)

AP: New Mexico Senate Passes Medically Assisted Suicide Bill
The New Mexico state Senate has passed a law that would remove criminal and civil liability for medical professionals who assist in the death of terminally ill patients who have chosen to end their life. The Elizabeth Whitfield End-of-Life Options Act is named for a former New Mexico judge who testified in support for a right to die for the terminally ill in 2017. She died of cancer the following year. (Attansio, 3/16)

Billings Gazette: Committee Tables Bill To Require Licensure For Religious Teen Treatment Programs
In a party-line vote, a Montana Senate committee on Friday tabled Senate Bill 312, which aimed to close a loophole that allows religious residential treatment programs for youth in Montana to operate without any state oversight. The vote was 6-3 in the Montana Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety committee. That means the bill is likely dead for the session, unless a vote is held to bring it back for consideration. This is the eighth consecutive session that former attendees of religious residential treatment programs, health professionals and lawmakers have fought to require state licensure of religious programs. (Evans, 3/15)

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NBC News: Florida Man Faces Charge After Allegedly Spitting At Disney Guard Over Mask Rules
A Florida man accused of spitting at a Disney World security guard who asked him to wear a mask was arrested last month, according to a sheriff's report released Monday. Kelly McKin, 51, of North Palm Beach, faces a charge of battery on a uniformed security guard in the Feb.5 incident, according to arrest and court records. McKin denied spitting on anyone, according to the arrest report. (Helsel, 3/15)