Iowa's Governor signed the 'Conscience Law,' which allows doctors to refuse patient care based on their personal, ethical, or religious convictions—seemingly opening the door for discrimination

Governor Kim Reynolds/YouTube screenshot

Healthcare providers now have the legal right to refuse services to patients that violate their ‘conscience,’ under the ‘Conscience Law’ (House File 571) that Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law on Tuesday, May 19. It goes into effect on July 1.  

The law outlines "conscience" as ethical, moral, or religious beliefs or principles held by a healthcare provider or institution. The new law will protect medical providers from being held "civilly, criminally, or administratively liable" for making treatment decisions based on their conscience, even if they withhold treatment due to personal or religious beliefs.

The "Conscience Law" mandates that emergency medical services must be provided. Yet, the law is somewhat vague regarding its potential impact on medical services. However, it is being reported that it could affect access to contraception, fertility services, medical marijuana, and childhood vaccines.

Yet, this law also pertains to the employment and hiring practices of medical professionals. It permits religious-based practitioners to make employment and admission decisions that reflect their religious beliefs.

Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, a practicing physician, argued that the policy would create another barrier for patients seeking care, particularly in rural areas where provider availability is already limited, therefore stating, “There are no guardrails on what is conscience and what is just discrimination," Baeth said. "This bill does not have a good purpose that is real. It only opens up for multiple harms and discrimination, and when that happens in the medical field, people go without lifesaving care."

The new law seems to conflict with the Hippocratic Oath, which obligates doctors to maintain ethical standards. This oath emphasizes the importance of beneficence among other ethical principles. Additionally, the law appears to contradict the Declaration of Geneva, adopted by the World Health Organization in 1948. This declaration highlights the significance of human rights, patient autonomy, and the well-being of physicians.

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