This bill is dubbed the "Patient Abandonment" bill. It would protect a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse from losing their job if they refused to give a patient medical treatment based on their moral or religious beliefs.

That has some local health care providers concerned beliefs will outweigh patients' rights.

Both the State Assembly and Senate have given the go-ahead to the so-called "Patient Abandonment" bill. If it passes, health care providers would be protected from losing their jobs if they refused to treat a patient or fill a prescription because of their moral or religious views.

"I don't think health care providers should be forced by state law to provide certain types of health care they feel uncomfortable with or feel it would be an endangerment to patients," says Rep. Scott Suder, (R) Abbotsford.

Rep. Suder is a co-sponsor of the bill. He says it won't take away a patient's right to receive that treatment.

But Family Planning & Health Services director Lon Newman says it could still put a patient in jeopardy, such as a patient who needs emergency contraceptives.

"If they go to a provider and can't receive that pill, for example, they may not have someplace else to go quickly to prevent that pregnancy," says Newman.

And similar reprecussions could occur with end-of-life issues. Linda Grilley from Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice says doctors and patients need to discuss these moral concerns right away.

"I believe it's very important for a physician to be straight with their patients if they have concerns with following a patient's wishes now," says Grilley.

Gov. Doyle has said he would veto the Patient Abandonment bill if it gets to his desk. If that happens, Suder says the legislature may try to override that veto.