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119-s-47119th CongressWALLET
Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act
Sponsored By: Senator Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to reinstate rules protecting conscience rights in health care. It directs HHS to issue a final rule identical or materially equivalent to the July 22, 2019 regulation and to restore that rule's certification, cooperation, enforcement, and penalty provisions.
Show full summary
- Health care providers: Would be allowed to refuse to take actions they find religiously or morally objectionable, such as providing referrals for abortions.
- Federal fund recipients: Hospitals and clinics that receive federal funds could not require providers to perform services that conflict with their conscience.
- HHS enforcement and timing: Would require the Secretary to issue the final rule within 6 months after enactment and to designate the HHS Office for Civil Rights to handle related complaints.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Restore conscience protections in health care
If enacted, the Department of Health and Human Services would have not later than 6 months after enactment to issue a final rule. The rule must be identical or materially equivalent to the conscience rule in 45 CFR part 88 as in effect on July 22, 2019 (84 Fed. Reg. 23170). The final rule would have to say it supersedes any contrary rule that exists when it is issued. Health care providers and institutions would regain stronger federal conscience protections. Some patients could face reduced access to certain services depending on provider refusals.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
MO • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov