Napolitano vetoes 'conscience clause' for pharmacists

[Rose Siding]

Gov. Janet Napolitano on Wednesday vetoed a bill to let pharmacists refuse to provide abortion-related medications if doing so conflicts with the pharmacists' moral or religious beliefs.

Napolitano, an abortion rights supporter, did not immediately release her veto letter but said previously she saw the idea as a way to deny legal drugs to consumers.

Supporters expressed disappointment with the veto of what one called civil rights legislation for health care professionals and institutions, which could be forced to contribute "to the taking of an innocent life."
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Opponents say pharmacies already have such policies and predicted the bill would be found unconstitutional if it became law.

The Senate passed the bill April 6 on a 17-11 vote. The bill cleared the House on a 35-24 vote in late February.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0413az-abortion-bill13-ON.html