Anti-abortion centers, doctor sue Rauner over ‘conscience’ law

Gov. Bruce Rauner is being sued by a women’s health non-profit, a Rockford medical center and a Downers Grove physician who claim a bill he signed last week that ensures that doctors inform their pregnant patients of all options – including abortion — is unconstitutional.

Rauner last week signed into law the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act, which ensures patients are notified of all their options, and in some cases, given referrals if needed to go to another doctor or facility, even if it conflicts with the religious beliefs of doctors or others working at the centers.

The bill requires that doctors who are unwilling to perform or participate in abortions, or other procedures, such as sterilization, provide a referral for another doctor or another medical center in a timely manner. It also requires them to provide a list of other providers who may offer abortion services if they can’t offer a referral.

The Alliance Defending Freedom is representing the plaintiffs, including Dr. Anthony Caruso, who practices medicine in Downers Grove at the Bella Baby OBGYN center, as well as the Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford and Aid for Women, a Chicago non-profit that runs six pregnancy help centers and two residential programs.

Read more: http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/anti-abortion-centers-doctor-sue-rauner-over-conscience-law/