WI Considers Protection of Pharmacists Who Refuse To Fill Birth Control RX's

The Wisconsin legislature held hearings yesterday on a proposed law to protect pharmacists who refuse on religious grounds to fill prescriptions for birth control pills or emergency contraception. The Twin Cities Pioneer Press reporting today on the hearings says that last month the Wisconsin pharmacy board reprimanded a pharmacist who refused to transfer a college student's birth control prescription. (See related prior post on Illinois). Four other states already have protections like those being considered in Wisconsin. Opponents say the bill would deny women access to contraceptives prescribed by their doctors.