Washington D.C., May 3, 2019 / 06:15 am
The Department of Health and Human Services has released a new rule allowing medical professionals to refuse to take part in procedures because of their religious or conscientious objections. The rule covers controversial services like abortion and sterilization.
The HHS rule, announced May 2, has been in development for more than a year. It will strengthen a series of Congressional laws intended to protect the conscience rights of doctors and nurses. Under the rule, medical providers may opt of direct participation, as well as having to refer patients to other providers who will perform the procedures.
Enforcement of the rule will fall under the department's Office of Human Rights and come into effect two months from publication in the Federal Register.
The new rule was first announced last year, following the creation by HHS of a new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Office of Human Rights. Creation of the division included a mechanism for medical workers to complain directly to the department about cases of discrimination or forced participation based on religious beliefs or conscience objections.