Washington D.C., Aug 23, 2019 / 18:00 pm
Medical professionals do not give up their right to conscience protections upon accepting a job, Catholic healthcare organizations have argued in support of new rules issued by the Department of Health and Human Services.
In legal briefs filed Aug. 21 on behalf of four non-profit organizations, including the National Catholic Bioethics Center and the Catholic Medical Association, the groups argue that medical professionals should not be forced to perform procedures or refer patients for procedures to which they are morally opposed.
The cases concern the Conscience Rights in Health Care Rule, first announced in May. The rule mandates that institutions receiving federal money be certified that they comply with more than two dozen laws protecting conscience and religious freedom rights, including a doctor's right to refuse to participate in abortion or so-called gender reassignment surgery.
State attorneys general have filed several suits against the rule, with California AG Xavier Becerra calling it dangerous to American lives and part of "a war being waged on access to health care across our country."