HHS Postpones Implementation Of Expanded ‘Conscience’ Rule For Health Workers While It Faces Legal Challenge
The rule on expanded protections for health workers who say their moral beliefs interfere with performing certain procedures was set to take effect on July 22, but HHS agreed to delay it until at least Nov. 22.
The Associated Press:
Trump Administration Agrees To Delay Health Care Rule
The Trump administration has agreed to postpone implementing a rule allowing medical workers to decline performing abortions or other treatments on moral or religious grounds while the so-called "conscience" rule is challenged in a California court. The rule was supposed to take effect on July 22 but the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its opponents in a California lawsuit mutually agreed Friday to delay a final ruling on the matter until Nov. 22. (6/29)
CNN:
'Conscience Objection' Rule For Medical Care Delayed After Legal Challenge
The rule was set to take effect on July 22, but after Dennis J. Herrera, the city attorney of San Francisco, filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the rule from taking effect, the US Department of Health and Human Services agreed to delay it until at least November 22, the news release says. "Faced with the law, the Trump administration blinked," Herrera said. "We have won this battle -- and it was an important one -- but the fight is not over. The Trump administration is trying to systematically limit access to critical medical care for women, the LGBTQ community, and other vulnerable patients. We're not going to let that happen. We will continue to stand up for what's right. Hospitals are no place to put personal beliefs above patient care. Refusing treatment to vulnerable patients should not leave anyone with a clear conscience." (Shuttleworth and Boyette, 6/28)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Trump Administration To Delay Health Care “Conscience” Rule After SF Challenge
San Francisco stands to lose up to $1 billion in federal funding if it does not comply with the rule, according to Herrera’s office. (Ho, 6/29)
The Hill:
Trump Administration Delays Implementation Of 'Conscience Protection' Rule
A coalition of Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit against the administration in May saying the policy, which would allow health care providers to refuse to provide services on the basis of their religious beliefs, is unconstitutional. (Axelrod, 6/29)
And NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio rejects Title X funding for the city's public hospital system —
Politico Pro:
De Blasio Rejects $1.3 Million In family Planning Funding Tied To Abortion Dispute
Fresh from the presidential campaign trail, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Friday the city's public hospital system would reject Title X funding from the Trump administration that comes with a prohibition on family planning programs referring patients to abortion services. ... The announcement represents roughly $1.3 million out of NYC Health + Hospitals $1 billion budget. It comes a week after hospital staff were instructed to ignore the "gag rule." (Eisenberg, 6/28)
Bloomberg:
NYC Rejects Federal Funds Over Abortion Doctors' `Gag Rule'
Twenty-two New York City-based health-care providers receive Title X funding to operate more than 50 centers throughout the city that receive a total of $6.8 million under the program. That includes 10 clinics in the city’s public hospital system that get $1.3 million. The money helped provide care between 2012 and 2015 to 150,000 people, who received a full range of gynecological services, including breast- and cervical-cancer screenings, the mayor’s office said in a news release. (Goldman, 6/28)
