BOISE -- After long and emotional debate, senators backed a measure to allow pharmacists, nurses and other health-care workers to opt not to provide assistance for abortions, emergency contraception or end-of-life care, if they tell their employers that violates their conscience.
Friday's 21-13 vote provided a stage for lawmakers to challenge each other on deeply held beliefs.
Sen. Chuck Winder, the Boise Republican sponsor, said his measure wasn't a "right-wing scheme" brought by a "bunch of religious fanatics," rather a heartfelt effort to provide all health care workers conscience protections already extended to Idaho doctors.
Democrat Sen. Les Bock of Boise said he objected to the possibility this measure will complicate already difficult decisions about how people like his 95-year-old mother are allowed to die.
