The Weekly Ethical Roundabout

March 3-10

Federal:

State:

Live5News: South Carolina senators have introduced a bill to protect individual liberties during national medical emergencies. Senate Bill 54, the Medical Informed Consent Act, prohibits both the implementation of a vaccination mandate and employer use of adverse actions against employees who decline a vaccine. The bill decreases the authority of the Department of Health to direct state law enforcement officers to enforce public health restrictions.

Legiscan: The New York Senate has sent a bill to a committee to create a state health insurance guaranty fund. Assembly Bill A6305 amends the state’s insurance law to include health insurers as eligible recipients of New York Health Insurance Consumer Protection Security Funds when the company cannot meet its requirements to policyholders.

KTVQ: A Montana House bill to change the state’s malpractice laws has been scheduled for a second reading. House Bill 563 will void malpractice agreements that prohibit or otherwise bar an individual from participating in an investigation of a complaint made to the state’s licensing board. Bill supporters aim to ensure licensing boards continue to identify and investigate physicians independent of their malpractice settlement agreements.

KOTA: The Speaker of the House signed a joint resolution, submitting to the voters at the next election a Medicaid funding amendment to the state constitution. The amendment proposed by House Joint Resolution 5001 places conditions on South Dakota’s expansion of Medicaid benefits, stating federal funding must cover at least 90% of costs. The budget-focused amendment aims to limit state costs in the event federal contributions are decreased below 90%.

Alabama Political Reporter: A bill introduced in the Alabama House

Glances Abroad: