NE LB655

Health care providers and payors may opt out of participating in or paying for any health care service based on sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical beliefs, provided they give written notice to employers and notify patients seeking services they decline to provide

Providers and payors are protected from adverse employment actions including discharge, demotion, suspension, or reduction in salary/benefits for exercising conscience-based objections; students are similarly protected from actions affecting their academic standing or scholarships

The Attorney General may investigate complaints and bring civil actions for damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees against violators

Providers and payors cannot be held civilly liable solely for declining services based on conscience objections, though emergency medical treatment requirements under EMTALA (42 U.S.C. 1395dd) remain in effect

Providers cannot refuse services based on a patient's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and payors must still cover services they are contractually obligated to pay for during a plan year