House OKs Narrow ‘Conscience’ Bill

The House has voted 51-17 in favor of HB 187, the “narrow” amendment to Idaho’s “conscience law” regarding living wills. Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, speaking against the bill, told the House, “Think about how your own parents would have approached this. Would they like to have someone say, ‘I’m sorry, I’m going to resuscitate you because my conscience doesn’t let me follow your expressed wishes’?” Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, said, “You’ve probably asked, why are all these people across the state upset?” He said the answer can be found by reading the conscience law. “Any health care provider can pre-empt your living will,” Smith told the House/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here .

• Conscience debate gets personal
• School bus ads bill heads to final vote
• Maybe today, maybe not on education bills
• Leadership opposes try to amend ‘conscience’ amendment
• Commerce budget takes cuts
• Lawmakers set ITD budget aimed at shifting spending to road work
• Prison budget lacks cuts other agencies are seeing

Question: Are you surprised at the 3-to-1 vote when Idaho AARP strongly opposed this bill?