Kansas Senate To Vote On Anti-Abortion Bill

Abortion opponents in the Kansas Senate plan to force a vote on a bill giving greater legal protection to health care providers who refuse to participate in terminating pregnancies.

Sen. Garrett Love, a Montezuma Republican, said he’ll ask for a vote Wednesday evening.

The House already has approved the bill. Senate passage would send the measure to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, who’s likely to

sign it.

Kansas law already says doctors and hospitals can’t be penalized for refusing to participate in abortions or sterilizations.

This year’s bill would expand that protection to other health care providers, including clinics and pharmacists. It also would cover their refusal to dispense abortion-inducing drugs.

Opponents contend the bill would restrict access to birth control as well.