Lawsuits Filed Over HHS 'Conscience Rule'

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a new regulation, known as the 'conscience rule' that protects healthcare workers who object to providing care on religious or moral grounds. The regulation is due to become effective on Jan. 20. Now, three lawsuits have been filed to block the regulation taking effect, in part because of concern that the regulation may effect the delivery of end-of-life care. From the Washington Post:

Seven states and two family-planning groups yesterday asked a federal court to block a controversial new federal regulation that protects health workers who refuse to provide care that they find objectionable.

In three lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, the states and groups sought an immediate court order preventing the regulation from going into effect Tuesday and a permanent decision voiding the rule.

. . .

Women's health advocates, family-planning proponents, abortion rights activists and others say it will create a major obstacle to providing many health services, including abortion, emergency contraception for rape victims, family planning, infertility treatment and end-of-life care, as well as possibly a range of scientific research.