Contact: Matt Sande, Director of Legislative Affairs
(262) 796-1111, (262) 352-0890 or info@prolifewisconsin.org

Pharmacists Conscience Clause Given Stamp of Approval

Madison - The Senate Labor and Election Process Reform Committee gave their approval this afternoon to Senate Bill 155, legislation that protects the right of pharmacists to conscientiously refuse to engage in practices that violate the sanctity of human life.

In response to compelling public testimony from Matthew Thill, UW-Madison Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, and Christine Zainer, M.D., Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Committee on a 3-2 vote recommended the bill for approval by the full Senate. Pro-Life Wisconsin applauds the support of bill author and committee chairman Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis), as well as committee members Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) and Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield). The dissenting votes came from Senators Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee).

“My faith, which has helped to form my conscience, teaches that human life begins at the moment of fertilization, not at implantation, and that certain hormonal medications can end human life in its earliest stages,” said Thill. “In effect, these medications cause chemical abortions. I have discussed this concern of mine with pharmacists around the state, fellow classmates, and other pharmacy students. A number of them have expressed great concern that one day their licenses may be in danger if they follow their consciences. To be very clear, this is not just a handful of pharmacists or students.”

Current Wisconsin law already protects health care employees (licensed physicians, certified physician assistants, hospital employees, licensed nurses) from being fired or otherwise discriminated against based on a conscientious refusal to participate in surgical abortion and sterilization. Senate Bill 155 – The Pharmacists Conscience Clause Bill – would extend conscience protections to pharmacists who refuse to participate in chemical abortion and euthanasia.

“Pharmacists are highly trained health care professionals who should have the right not to dispense any medication according to their professional judgment, which may involve medical, practical and/or moral reasons,” said Dr. Zainer, speaking for herself, who is also on the medical staff at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital and the Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center in Milwaukee. “There is already a shortage of health care professionals in many areas of health care. It is my opinion that persons will not invest the time and money in health care education if there is a risk that their moral values will not be respected in their professional lives. They will avoid controversy and use their talents elsewhere. One cannot force anyone to cooperate with morally wrong acts, but one can make the price so high that conscientious persons will avoid professions and workplaces that fail to respect their moral beliefs on life and death issues.”

The Pharmacists Conscience Clause Bill has been in the legislative process for several years. South Dakota passed a specific pharmacist conscience clause bill in 1998. Other states with specific and comprehensive pharmacist conscience clause laws include Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Many other states are actively considering this legislation including North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Texas, New York, Arizona and Washington.

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