Vermont Considers Bills to Protect Health Workers for Reproductive Care
Vermont lawmakers are considering bills to protect health workers who provide reproductive and gender-affirming care from legal threats that originate in other states.
Doctors, nurses and support staff worry they could face legal exposure or harassment if they treat patients who travel to Vermont from the increasing number of states where the services are banned or restricted.
Two bills now making their way through the legislature would clarify that such services are legally protected in the state. S.37 would protect providers from ramifications such as increases in insurance rates or professional disciplinary action for providing the services. Hearings on that bill begin next week in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.