News Release
For Immediate Release: 3.4.24
Contact: Peyton Drew, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Religious Accommodation Process for All VA Employees Opposed to Abortion Included in New Rule After Nurse Practitioner Lawsuit
Stephanie Carter faced violating her conscience after VA began performing abortions at installations nationwide.
Washington, D.C.—New regulations from the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) regarding “Reproductive Health Services” recognize a nationwide religious accommodation process for VA employees with religious objections to being forced to participate in abortions. The VA implemented the process last year, only after Texas nurse practitioner Stephanie Carter sued the VA when it twice failed to accommodate her religious objection to participating in abortions. First Liberty Institute represented Carter.
“We’re pleased that the VA will continue to recognize the nationwide religious accommodation policy it implemented after our client, Stephanie Carter, filed a lawsuit when she was twice denied a religious accommodation to not participate in abortion services because a process did not exist,” said Danielle Runyan, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Every VA employee in the nation can now continue to seek a religious accommodation from participating in a procedure they find unconscionable.”
Ms. Carter has served veterans as a VA employee for over 23 years. When she sought a religious accommodation from participating in abortions in the fall of 2022, VA officials informed Ms. Carter that no process for such accommodations existed. However, the VA created a religious accommodation process for affected VA employees after Ms. Carter filed her lawsuit in December of 2022.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Peyton Drew at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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