HHS Seeking Public Comment from Healthcare Providers on New Conscience Rights Policy
Immediate Call to Action All CMA Members

Seeking Public Comment from Healthcare Providers on New HHS Conscience Rights Policy

Deadline Next Tuesday March 27, 2018

The newly formed Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the United States Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) is currently seeking public comment from physicians and healthcare workers on a newly proposed conscience regulations titled: Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Healthcare.

The new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in OCR implements the proposed regulation as finalized and enforced statues protecting individuals and organizations from forcing them to participate in procedures such as abortion, sterilization and assisted suicide when it would violate their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

This is an incredible opportunity for CMA members to share our insights, experiences and expertise with policy makers at the highest levels of the Federal Government. The new policy implementations will better protect our conscience and religious freedoms and help with the enforcement of existing laws.

Only 10 conscience complaints were filed in the entire eight years of the Obama Administration. To date the Trump Administration has already received 93 conscience complaints. This number indicates tremendous opportunity and momentum. CMA members can be a powerful influence.

Two of our members, Dr. Thomas McGovern and Dr. Andrew Mullally who host the Doctor, Doctor, Doctor Podcast, (posted on the CMA website) recently interviewed Arina Grossu the Outreach Advisor at the OCR at HHS. Follow the link to the podcast. https://soundcloud.com/user-546435917/full-interview-arina-grossu-hhs-conscience-protection-policies

The public comment period for the new proposed conscience rule ends at 11:59 P.M. on March 27, 2018. For details and to submit a comment please click the following link: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=HHS-OCR-2018-0002-0001

Also, if you believe your civil rights including conscience rights, religious freedom rights, of health information privacy rights have been violated you may file a complaint with the OCR. For detailed instructions on how to file a complaint or to download a complaint form please visit: www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints