Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Emotionally Fraught Debate Over Religious Objections To Abortions Heats Up
The Trump administration’s push toward a more conservative approach to health policy has sparked a debate over what patients can expect from their health workers, and when health workers can refuse service for reasons of conscience. Both supporters and opponents bolster their arguments with testimonials, such as the two that follow. The first is an example of what conservative activists say is a health worker forced to assist in a procedure that ran counter to her beliefs. The second is an example of what liberal activists say are religious organizations imposing their views on others. (Armour, 4/13)
The Trump administration is pursuing a significant shift toward a more conservative health-care agenda, expanding the use of civil-rights laws to defend health-industry workers who object to medical procedures on religious grounds. Roger Severino, an administration appointee to the Department of Health and Human Services, is heading a new division at the department that will shield health-care workers who object to abortion, assisted suicide, or other procedures they say violate their conscience or deeply held religious beliefs. HHS has proposed rules that would expand the division’s enforcement ability and require many health organizations to inform workers about their federal protections regarding personal faith or convictions. (Armour, 4/13)
In other news —
A group of GOP lawmakers is circulating a letter calling on HHS Secretary Alex Azar to revise the program and prevent recipients of Title X funds from making a patient referral for an abortion. Reps. Ron Estes, Vicky Hartzler and Chris Smith — all prominent opponents of abortion — say the rules on Title X today are not in line with what was originally envisioned. (Haberkorn, 4/12)
The most restrictive abortion law in the United States will remain on hold for at least several more months. The Mississippi law bans abortion after 15 weeks. It took effect when Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed it March 19, but the state's only abortion clinic immediately sued and U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves put it on hold the next day. (4/12)
