According to an April 14 CNN.com article, House and Senate backers have unveiled a bill dubbed the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act (ALPhA), which would allow a pharmacist to refuse to fill a prescription only if the prescription can be passed to and filled by a co-worker at the same pharmacy. The article goes on to say that according to NARAL Pro-Choice America, a reproductive rights group, legislators in 10 states are considering bills that would permit pharmacists to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions. The article also says that a federal law, if passed, would pre-empt any state law. I don't know what legislators in the 10 States are considering, but my guess is the federal bill is trying to take the middle ground on this issue.

Will such laws for pharmacists encourage workers in other occupations to demand employment rights consistent with their ethical or religious beliefs?