The Administration’s proposed rules allowing health care providers to refuse medical care due to religious or moral objections are gravely concerning.
Comments were due this week and NoHLA joined others asking for the rule to be entirely rescinded. The rules will result in immediate harm, especially for women, people of color, people living with disabilities, poor and low-income people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. These communities already experience severe health disparities and discrimination, conditions that will be exacerbated by the proposed rule. As stated by the National Health Law Program, “The proposed rule will give health care providers a license, such as Catholic hospitals, to opt out of evidence-based care that the medical community endorses. If this rule were to be implemented, more women, particularly women of color, will be put in situations where they will have to decide between receiving compromised care or seeking another provider to receive quality, comprehensive health services. For many, this choice does not exist.”
While Washington has strong state laws to protect patient access to care, the proposed rule attempts to increase the number of patients denied needed medical care and information. NoHLA’s comments are available below.