Utah lawmaker: Doctors can refuse abortions

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah lawmaker has introduced two new bills that would allow doctors to refuse to perform abortions based on religious or moral grounds.

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Republican Rep. Carl Wimmer of Herriman says House Bill 353, introduced Monday, gives doctors more rights.

Wimmer, who is sponsoring three abortion-related bills this session, says the proposal would bar clinics from firing doctors solely based on their refusal to perform abortions.

Critics say such a law would take too much power away from abortion clinics by allowing anti-abortion doctors to stay on board and prevent the facilities from operating effectively.

Wimmer also introduced House Bill 354 this week, which would limit government funds going toward for abortions unless the abortion is necessary to avoid death or other extreme health risks.