HHS Scraps Abortion Refusal Protections for Healthcare Workers
Published Date: 1/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is canceling a 2021 rule that protected healthcare workers’ rights to refuse participating in abortions. This change affects hospitals and clinics that get federal money, and it takes effect immediately. No new costs or deadlines are involved, but it signals a shift in how these protections are handled.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Guidance Rescinded for Federally Funded Clinics
If your hospital or clinic receives federal funds, HHS has rescinded the "Guidance on Nondiscrimination Protections under the Church Amendments" that was issued September 17, 2021. The rescission is effective upon publication (January 26, 2026) and the notice states it creates no new costs or deadlines.
Conscience Protections Guidance Withdrawn
If you are a health care provider, HHS rescinded the 2021 guidance that reminded federally funded entities of nondiscrimination protections under the Church Amendments (42 U.S.C. 300a-7), including protections related to performing or objecting to abortions. The rescission is effective upon publication (January 26, 2026) and follows HHS determinations about the 2021 guidance's scope and legal bases.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20447, Transparency in Coverage
Starting soon, health plans and insurers must share clearer, easier-to-understand price info for medical services and drugs. This helps you see what in-network and out-of-network costs really look like, with more details and better updates. These changes affect most group and individual health plans and kick in with new reporting rules to make healthcare pricing more transparent and fair.
2026-20281, Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model
Starting November 30, 2026, Medicare will use the new GLOBE Model to help lower the cost of certain drugs for people on Original Medicare. This model changes how drug price increases are calculated, aiming to save money for both patients and the Medicare program without cutting care quality. If you’re on Medicare Part B, expect smarter drug pricing that helps keep your healthcare affordable.
2026-20131, Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program; Correction
This correction fixes some technical mistakes in the Medicare payment rules for inpatient rehab facilities starting October 1, 2026. It mainly affects hospitals and rehab centers by clarifying how wage data and payments are calculated, ensuring fairer payment rates for fiscal year 2027. No big changes in money, but it keeps everything accurate and on track.
2026-20067, Medicare Program; FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction
This correction fixes some technical mistakes in the FY 2027 hospice payment and wage index rules that were first published in August 2026. It mainly affects hospice providers by updating how their payments are calculated, making sure the numbers are accurate starting October 1, 2026. These changes help ensure hospices get the right payment amounts based on the latest hospital wage data.
2026-19959, Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027; Correction
This correction fixes some technical mistakes in Medicare payment rules for skilled nursing facilities starting October 1, 2026. It mainly affects how hospital data is used to calculate payments, making sure no current hospitals are wrongly excluded. These tweaks help keep Medicare payments fair and accurate for providers and patients.
2026-19946, Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals (IPPS) and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; Other Policy Changes; and Adoption of Updated Versions of Certain Health Information Technology Standards; Correction
This update fixes some typos and technical mistakes in the Medicare payment rules for hospitals starting October 1, 2026. It affects hospitals getting paid for patient care, making sure the payment system and quality programs run smoothly. These corrections help hospitals get the right payments and follow updated health tech standards without delays or confusion.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01434, Rescission of Office for Civil Rights Documents Under Executive Order 14192
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights is officially canceling some old guidance documents to clear up confusion and cut unnecessary costs for hospitals and other health groups. This change takes effect right now, so affected organizations can stop following outdated rules and save money. It’s all part of a bigger plan to make government work smarter and simpler.
Next: 2026-01436, Combined Notice of Filings #1
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got several filings from energy companies about big changes like acquisitions, new projects, and updates to how they handle money. These changes affect companies running solar, wind, and battery projects, with deadlines for public comments coming up in early February. If you’re interested in energy deals or rates, now’s the time to check in and share your thoughts!