TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As the end of Florida’s legislative session approaches, 96 bills are on the House calendar Tuesday including one that would allow doctors and insurance companies to drop patients for religious or moral reasons.

What You Need To Know

  • Bill allows doctors to deny care based on religious or moral beliefs

  • Insurance companies can deny payment if ‘conscience-based' objection

  • Doctors and insurance companies would have legal protections following denial

  • Opponents fear discrimination against minorities and LGBTQ patients

HB 1403 could allow physicians and insurance companies to deny providing or paying for care to patients if they have a ‘conscience-based’ objection to it — defined in the bill as a moral, religious, or ethical belief.

The bill would also provide doctors and insurance companies legal protections if they choose to deny care or payment.

It also gives both doctors and insurance companies the right to sue if they receive a threat.

If passed, physicians would not be required to refer parents who were denied care to another medical provider.

This proposed legislation is carried over from HB 687 and SB 1184, which failed in the 2022 legislative session.

Opponents fear the bill could mean minority, gay, or transgender patients would be discriminated against.

Other bills up for discussion this week include new rules regarding who is classified as next of kin for deceased minors, education changes, property insurance and a bill that would make hunting and fishing a constitutional right.