The Medical Neutrality Act of 2013 (HR 2033)is a bipartisan bill that makes medical neutrality a policy priority of the U.S. by withholding military assistance, including training and arms sales, to any government that restricts access to medical services. According to bill co-sponsor, Rep. McDermott (D-WA), “Doctors must be allowed to honor their consciences and uphold their ethical duty to serve the wounded.”
The bill reaffirms U.S. commitment to its international obligations under the Geneva Convention that recognizes the duty to protect medical facilities and personnel as neutral during times of armed conflict. Medical neutrality includes protecting the status of health care during international armed conflict and times of civil unrest, and allowing unhindered access of the sick and injured to medical facilities and medical care.
According to Dr. Deborah Ascheim, Chair of the Board for Physicians for Human Rights, “This bill aims to stop the disturbing rise in attacks against health professionals so they can continue to do their important work, and also serve as human rights defenders. By banning military assistance, “It sends a signal that the United States does not tolerate these kinds of deliberate violations, and allows for concrete actions in order to stop them,” said Ascheim.
Violations of medical neutrality include military attacks on medical facilities, willful obstruction of medical supplies and medical care and coercion or detention of medical personnel. The bill calls for the Secretary of State to publish a list of all foreign governments in violation of medical neutrality on the State Department website. Violating governments will be prohibited from receiving military assistance, including the sale of arms, military training and education and will restrict visas to specific individuals who have violated medical neutrality.
Physicians for Human Rights led advocacy on the bill. It was originally introduced in 2011 and reintroduced on May 16, 2013. It was referred to the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees. The bipartisan group of Representatives include Rep. McDermott (D-WA), Rep. Moran (D-VA), Rep. McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Johnson (D-GA), Mr. Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Ellison (D-MN), and Rep. Jones (R-NC).