Skip to main content

Trump Administration Rule Would Invite Providers to Refuse Medical Care

Press Contact

Contact Name
Ash Orr (they/he)

Sweeping, harmful rule could increase already widespread discrimination against LGBTQ patients

Today the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a regulation aimed at protecting and promoting the refusal of health care to patients a provider disapproves of. The proposed rule on so-called “Conscience Rights” was secretly rushed to publication without appearing in the Department’s official regulatory agenda. HHS has invited public comments on how it could promote ever broader health care refusals.

NCTE Executive Director Mara Keisling said the following:

In health care, patients must always come first. This rule recklessly and cruelly goes beyond existing laws to encourage doctors, nurses, insurers, and nearly anyone working in health care to use their personal beliefs rather than medical science to determine whether a patient receives care. That puts at risk LGBTQ patients and anyone a health care provider or administrator disapproves of.  The vast majority of medical experts and the vast majority of people of faith reject discrimination.

 

Join Our Mailing List

Sign Up