HHS Will Propose Repeal of Recent Health Care Conscience Regulations

The Washington Post today reports that the Obama administration will issue for comment a proposal to rescind the conscience regulations covering health care workers adopted in the final days of the Bush administration. Those rules prohibit state and local governments, as well as health care institutions, that receive federal funds from discriminating against those who object to furnishing abortion, sterilization and various other services. (See prior posting.) A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman suggested that the Obama administration favors a narrower rule protecting conscience rights of those who object to abortion, but it opposes the recent regulations that cover a wide range of other services as well. A compromise could arise after comments are filed during the 30-day comment period that will be provided.