House gives initial approval to medical professionals conscience rights bill

See Related Stories

1/27/2014: Radio Story - A legislative committee debated how long a woman must wait to have an abortion

1/22/2014: Radio Story - Mo. legislators propose abortion restrictions on 41st Roe v. Wade anniversary

Intro:	The Missouri House speaker wants to exempt medical providers from performing procedures that violate their conscience rights.
RunTime:	0:40
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: House Speaker Tim Jones introduced the bill for the third time in the last few years.

The measure would allow medical professionals to not perform a procedure such as an abortion if it violated their conscience rights.

Jones made his case for why he hopes the third time will be the charm.

Actuality:	SPKR1.WAV
Run Time:	00:16
Description: This bill is simply and only about whether or not we want to protect the rights of the worker... The rights of the worker in not being forced to participate in a procedure that flies in the face of their religious or moral beliefs.

Multiple Democrats said the bill was an attack on women, though the House gave it first-round approval.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	A St. Louis area lawmaker blasted a proposed conscience rights bill that could affect abortion procedures.
RunTime:	0:35
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Democratic representative Stacey Newman vigorously attacked a bill that would allow medical professionals to excuse themselves from performing a procedure they deem morally unacceptable.

Newman said this bill was an attack on women perpetrated by government.

Actuality:	NEWMAN.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "To be clear, this is just one more vagina-specific bill in an election year that is designed to hurt women."

House Speaker Tim Jones defended his bill, saying it would help patients and be good for the health care system.

The House gave the bill initial approval.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	After multiple female representatives called a conscience rights bill anti-women, the House speaker defended his stance.
RunTime:	0:31
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: House Speaker Tim Jones introduced a bill that would exempt medical providers from providing services they deem morally unacceptable.

The bill could affect services such as contraception and abortion.

After St. Louis area Democratic representative Stacey Newman attacked this bill as part of the war on women, Jones fired back.

Actuality:	SPKR2.WAV
Run Time:	00:07
Description: I didn't bring up the harsh political diatribes and vitriol this morning. The lady did. I think it's unfortunate in calling this bill something it isn't.

After an hour long debate, the House gave initial approval to the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.