Posted on by Randy Slovacek

Biden Admin To Rescind Anti-LGBTQ Healthcare ‘Conscience’ Rule

The Biden administration is preparing to scrap an anti-LGBTQ healthcare 'conscience' rule from the Trump era that allowed medical workers to refuse to provide services that conflict with their religious or moral beliefs.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (image via Twitter)

The Biden administration is preparing to scrap an anti-LGBTQ healthcare ‘conscience’ rule from the Trump era that allowed medical workers to refuse to provide services that conflict with their religious or moral beliefs.

From Politico:

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that the policy change is underway, saying: “HHS has made clear through the unified regulatory agenda that we are in the rulemaking process.”

The so-called conscience rule, unveiled in 2018 and finalized in 2019, was blocked by federal courts after dozens of states, cities and advocacy groups sued, and has never been implemented.

Had it gone forward, it would have allowed doctors, nurses, medical students, pharmacists and other health workers to refuse to provide abortions, contraception, gender affirming care, HIV and STD services, vasectomies or any procedure to which they object.

This comes as many GOP-led states are passing legislation restricting or banning altogether abortions or gender-affirming treatment for transgender people.

Of course, far-right pundits are framing this as President Biden “forcing” doctors to perform abortions. #nope