The federal government is reportedly in the final throes of finishing a new rule that would punish providers or state agencies that force workers to perform duties violating their personal principles.
That final rule from the Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights is now being reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget. It aims to protect healthcare employees who object to taking part in assisted suicide, advanced directives, vaccinations and abortions, according to the OMB.
“Revision of the current conscience rule is necessary to provide proper enforcement tools to address unlawful discrimination, coercion and hostility, which has been the subject of a rising number of complaints before OCR and in federal courts and raised questions from congressional oversight,” the office wrote.
Bloomberg noted Friday that the Trump administration reconfigured the OCR last year to now include a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division. The OMB is typically the final step before a final rule is published, and such reviews typically take about three months. However, the process has been hampered by the ongoing government shutdown.
