Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§1396f Observance of Religious Beliefs
Title 42 › CHAPTER 7 — SOCIAL SECURITY › SUBCHAPTER XIX — GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS › § 1396f
Summary
States do not have to force anyone to get medical tests, exams, diagnoses, treatments, or other covered health care if the person, or a child's parent or guardian, objects for religious reasons, except when needed to detect or stop contagious disease or to protect environmental health.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §1396f
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to require any State which has a plan approved under this subchapter to compel any person to undergo any medical screening, examination, diagnosis, or treatment or to accept any other health care or services provided under such plan for any purpose (other than for the purpose of discovering and preventing the spread of infection or contagious disease or for the purpose of protecting environmental health), if such person objects (or, in case such person is a child, his parent or guardian objects) thereto on religious grounds.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 1396f
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102