A new law in Kentucky, House Bill 159, will protect doctors and other healthcare providers from criminal liability for any harm or damages resulting from their provision of health services. This bill has been written broadly enough to apply to in vitro fertilization (IVF) services as well. Senator Whitney Westerfield, a Republican from Hopkinsville who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, confirmed that the bill’s definition of health care providers is inclusive enough to cover IVF services and ensure that providers can continue to offer these services without fear of prosecution.
Westerfield, who is against abortion, emphasized the importance of clarifying what services providers are allowed to offer without facing legal consequences. He believes that the bill will enable providers to carry on with their duties without the threat of being unduly prosecuted. The issue of IVF became prominent in politics after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling granted legal protections to embryos outside the uterus in wrongful death lawsuits, equating them to children. This ruling has sparked debate among anti-abortion advocates who seek to recognize embryos and fetuses as humans, potentially leading to a ban on abortion.
The Kentucky legislation has now been submitted to Governor Andy Beshear for approval. As a nonprofit news organization, WEKU relies on the support of monthly donors to continue providing public service and fact-based journalism. Those in the community who value WEKU’s work are encouraged to contribute to ensure the sustainability of the organization.
