Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate introduced a bill Nov. 12 to solidify a federal judge's decision that the "conscience protection" rule is unconstitutional.
The Trump administration rule would have allowed healthcare workers to exempt themselves from providing healthcare services if they felt those services violated their personal moral or religious beliefs. It also would have stripped hospitals of federal funding if they did not allow staff to exempt themselves.
On Nov. 6, a judge from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York said the rule conflicts with workplace discrimination laws — by enabling healthcare workers to deny care to women or LGBTQ patients — and EMTALA, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which requires hospitals to treat emergency patients regardless of circumstances.
The "Put Patients First Act," introduced by Reps. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire and Barbara Lee of California, as well as Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, would permanently block the conscience protection rule.
"We're introducing this legislation to make sure that no matter who you are, your care is based on your medical needs and not someone else's beliefs," Ms. Murray said, according to a press release.
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