WHB/4/3
Sponsored by Katelyn Rude, Clara Ivey, Shelby Callaghan of Evangelical Christian School
This legislation was filed in the Health category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Section 1: Terms in this act will be defined as follows: |
| 4 | Sterilization Surgery: A surgical procedure designed to permanently prevent reproduction. It is a |
| 5 | permanent method of birth control that is considered a safe procedure with few complications. |
| 6 | Named tubal sterilization or ligation in women and vasectomy in men. |
| 7 | Tubal Ligation: A surgical procedure that closes off or removes the fallopian tubes, thereby |
| 8 | preventing the egg from moving down the fallopian tube and keeps the sperm from reaching the |
| 9 | egg. It is a highly effective method of permanent birth control that can be conducted through a |
| 10 | laparoscopic or minilaparotomy operation. This operation is not reversible and is commonly |
| 11 | refused by doctors due to the patient’s age, number or lack of children, lack of spousal consent, or |
| 12 | on the premise of future regret. |
| 13 | Hysterectomy: A surgical procedure that removes the uterus and in many cases, the cervix. |
| 14 | Typically conducted through laparoscopic, robotic-assisted laparoscopic, abdominal, or vaginal |
| 15 | operations. This is a permanent, non reversible procedure that prevents pregnancy and |
| 16 | menstruation. |
| 17 | Refusal of Care: A doctor’s right to refuse to treat a patient. Reasons include: the doctor does not |
| 18 | specialize in the specific area, the patient exhibits drug-seeking behavior, the patient is disruptive, |
| 19 | the doctor does not have a relationship with the insurance provider, religious or personal |
| 20 | convictions, or the patient’s spouse is a medical malpractice lawyer. Under the Civil Rights Act of |
| 21 | 1964, it is illegal for healthcare providers to deny a patient based on the patient’s age, sex, race, |
| 22 | sexual orientation, religion, or national origin. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | Section 2: This act shall mandate that no doctor may discriminate against a patient seeking a |
| 25 | tubal ligation or hysterectomy due to age, number or lack of children, lack of spousal consent, or |
| 26 | on the premise of future regret. |
| 27 | |
| 28 | Section 3: In accordance with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), |
| 29 | surgical procedures will be preceded by an ethical counseling process that includes one |
| 30 | appointment and documentation 6 months before the elected procedure. |
| 31 | |
| 32 | Section 4: A patient that has undergone the ethical counseling process and elective procedure |
| 33 | shall be unable to take countermeasures against the doctor that performed their procedure, such |
| 34 | as suing, on a basis of age or regret. |
| 35 | |
| 36 | Section 5: All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this are hereby repealed. |
| 37 | |
| 38 | Section 6: This act shall take effect June 1st, 2024. |
| 39 |