HR0473 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0473 LRB094 12185 CSA 46852 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On April 1, 2005, Governor Rod Blagojevich filed an emergency rule requiring pharmacies that sell contraceptives to fill prescriptions for birth control without delay; and

WHEREAS, As part of that emergency rule, if the contraceptive, or a suitable alternative, is not in stock, the pharmacy must order or obtain the contraceptive or, if the patient prefers, transfer the prescription to another local pharmacy of the patient's choice or return it to the patient; and

WHEREAS, The right of conscience is fundamental to the right of freedom of religious expression; and

WHEREAS, The Health Care Right of Conscience Act protects and respects a health care professional's right of conscience; under this Act, a pharmacist may refuse to issue prescriptions for abortifacients and contraceptives based upon his or her beliefs; and

WHEREAS, There are pharmacists who practice in Illinois only because the State has a Health Care Right of Conscience Act; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Governor to suspend the emergency rule filed April 1, 2005 requiring pharmacies that sell contraceptive to fill prescriptions for birth control without delay; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Governor.