The recent establishment of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has stirred discussions among those concerned about personal healthcare.
On January 18, 2018, the Trump Administration revealed this new division, aiming to reinforce federal enforcement of laws safeguarding the rights of conscience and religious freedom as articulated in a HHS press release.
While the division’s primary goal is to shield healthcare providers from religious-based discrimination, concerns have been raised about the potential for it to be misused to deliver substandard care to certain patients.
Who Benefits from the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division?
The division’s support extends to healthcare providers and patients alike, enabling medical professionals to refrain from actions conflicting with their religious beliefs. This includes scenarios where individuals may object to certain medical practices or treatments for religious or conscientious reasons.
Examples include:
- Declining to fund birth control in insurance plans for religious reasons
- Refraining from administering vaccines containing animal products or human tissues due to religious restrictions
- Opposing doctor-assisted suicide on religious grounds
Advocates, such as Kent Heckenlively, view the division as a champion for those who feel their conscience rights have been overlooked by the healthcare system.
Concerns Surrounding the Division
Critics fear that the division might foster discrimination in healthcare by prioritizing the protection of practitioners over patient care and by lacking provisions for referring patients when necessary. However, Director Roger Severino emphasizes that the laws safeguarding religious freedom and conscience rights must be enforced for justice to prevail.
If you have encountered discrimination related to your conscience or religious beliefs, you can voice your concerns through the complaint portal on the HHS Office for Civil Rights site.
