MEDICAL CARE REFERRALS

Amends the State Finance Act to create the Women's Reproductive Health Care Fund. Amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Makes a protocol provision mandatory (instead of at the request of the patient or legal representative of the patient) that the health care facility, physician, or health care personnel must: (i) refer the patient to, or (ii) transfer the patient to, or (iii) provide in writing information to the patient about other health care providers who they reasonably believe may offer the health care service the health care facility, physician, or health personnel refuses to permit, perform, or participate in because of a conscience-based objection. Provides that the injured person shall recover $5,000 in damages, and the violator shall pay to the circuit court clerk a penalty of $5,000 that is to be remitted as soon as practicable to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for deposit into the Women's Reproductive Health Care Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Provides that, subject to appropriation and as directed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, all monies in the Fund shall be expended to improve women's reproductive health care and for no other purpose.