Abortion rights advocates say an anti-abortion proposal pending in the Kansas House would limit women's access to birth control.
But a key supporter of the measure says those worries are exaggerated. Rep. Steve Brunk, a Bel Aire Republican, says it only ensures that medical professionals who oppose abortion can't be demoted or fired for refusing to participate in terminating pregnancies, including with medication.
The so-called "conscience protection" bill was introduced Tuesday. It expands a law preventing medical personnel from being forced to participate in abortions.
The bill would extend the protection to medical professionals who don't want to participate in prescribing or administering drugs or devices they believe could end a pregnancy.
Planned Parenthood said the bill is broad enough to cover birth control. Brunk said it's narrowly drafted.
