Colorado Law Allows Health Care Workers To Refuse Treatment To Gays

[DENVER, CO]- The Colorado legislature has passed a law protecting health care workers who refuse to treat gays or lesbians.

The bill amends regulations of the state Medical Services Board in rules governing doctors, nurses and other health care workers by removing sexuality from a section banning discrimination.

The bill's sponsor, Representative Don Lee said that gays and lesbians do not have state legal claims against discrimination. Lee further said that the rules created a special protection.

"The issue is, do they get to make these rules to protect this class?" Lee asked. "The answer is no."

Democratic members strongly objected to Lee's claims, arguing that the rule change would be unconstitutional.

While the legislation prevents a medical disciplinary hearing for health care workers who refuse to treat gays it does not prevent civil cases from being brought against health care workers who refused care.