News Release
For Immediate Release: 3.7.23
Contact: Peyton Luke, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
First Liberty Institute Files Comment in Support of Conscience Protections for Health Care Professionals
Group files public comments in opposition to new HHS proposed rules by Biden Administration that gut current protections
Washington, DC—First Liberty Institute attorneys today submitted public comments in opposition to United States Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) proposed rules that lessen Federal protection for the conscience rights of health care professionals.
“Without strong conscience protections, health care professionals across America risk discrimination for holding to their religious convictions,” said Justin Butterfield, Deputy General Counsel. “The proposed HHS rules would eviscerate current protections that uphold the rights of healthcare professionals and the ethical integrity of the medical profession. No health care worker should be forced to choose between their religious convictions and serving as health care professionals—a profession that many of them chose because of their religiously motivated desire to serve those in need.”
First Liberty’s comment was signed by three attorneys, Justin Butterfield, Christine Pratt, and Maya Noronha, all of whom were involved in drafting or implementing the current rules protecting rights of conscience adopted during the Trump administration.
According to the comment, “The proposed changes hinder both religious freedom and transparency and will ultimately harm both health care employers and employees,” adding, “Permitting increased hurdles for religious healthcare professionals reduces access to healthcare generally by reducing the supply of healthcare professionals and reduces access particularly to religious healthcare professionals, who provide an invaluable benefit to patients of faith, particularly in minority communities.”
To read the comment, click here.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Peyton Luke at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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