[JURIST] Walgreens [corporate web site] is being sued by four Illinois pharmacists [JURIST report] who claim that they were illegally fired for refusing to sign a pledge promising to dispense the morning-after birth control pill. Walgreens asked the pharmacists to sign the pledge because of an Illinois state rule [press release] which requires pharmacies that sell contraceptives to fill prescriptions for emergency birth control without delay. The pharmacists, represented by the American Center for Law and Justice [official web site, ACLJ statement], argue that they are protected by the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act [text] which they say protects health care providers from discrimination if they refuse to participate in health care services which are contrary to their beliefs. AP has more.
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