‘Conscience’ Rule Would Create Confusion, Erode Trust Between Patient And Doctor, Civil Rights Groups Claim In Suit
A coalition of civil rights groups on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's "conscience" rule that allows medical professionals protection if they refuse to perform certain procedures. The new policy “creates a wholly new regime that elevates religious objections over all other interests and values,"according to the complaint. Washington state also filed a suit against the new rule, which is facing court challenges from New York and California, as well.
The Washington Post:
A Violation Of ‘Privacy, Liberty, Dignity’: Civil Rights Groups Sue HHS Over Religious Exemption Rule
Lambda Legal and other civil rights groups are asking a federal court to strike down a Health and Human Services Department “conscience” rule that is set to dramatically expand the situations in which health providers, insurers and others could refuse to provide or pay for services they say violate their religious or moral beliefs. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims the policy, which was published May 21, is unconstitutional and exceeds HHS’s statutory authority. (Cha, 5/28)
The Hill:
Civil Rights Groups Sue Trump Administration Over 'Conscience Protection' Rule
According to the groups, which include Lambda Legal, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Center for Reproductive Rights, the rule will result in "mass confusion among health care providers and is completely infeasible to implement." (Weixel, 5/28)
CQ:
Abortion-Rights Groups Sue HHS Over Conscience Rule
James R. Williams, county counsel for Santa Clara County, said much of the health care the county provides is related to emergency services. “Under our current policies, we require advanced notice about refusing to participate in certain care,” he said, adding that patient care must come first. If a health professional objects to helping during a medical emergency, he or she must provide care until a replacement can step in. The rule, he said, would make this impossible. (Raman, 5/28)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Another Suit Against Administration Plan To Deny Treatment To LGBTQ People
The rule, scheduled to take effect July 22, is part of the administration’s “aggressive effort to expand enforcement of religious-objection laws at the expense of patients,” said the suit, filed in federal court in San Francisco. It said the plan violates numerous federal laws and the constitutional separation of church and state. (Egelko, 5/28)
The Associated Press:
Washington Is Latest State To Sue Over Trump Health Rule
Washington is the latest state to sue President Donald Trump's administration in hopes of blocking a new rule that lets health care professionals refuse to provide abortions and other services that conflict with their moral or religious beliefs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat who has sued frequently and successfully over Trump's initiatives, filed the case Tuesday in federal court in Spokane. (5/28)
