Conscience

Conscience Protections

Brnovich Supported So-Called Conscience Protections For Health Workers Who Object To Abortions

Brnovich Co-Led A Letter With Republican Attorneys General Supporting The Trump Administration’s Push To Reverse An Obama-Era Rule That Protected Abortion Providers. According to the Houston Chronicle, “Attorney General Ken Paxton and Republican attorneys general from 16 other states are throwing their support behind the Trump administration's push to reverse an Obama-era rule that protected abortion providers. The GOP officials say the proposed rules would restore principles of federalism, religious freedom and freedom of conscience to U.S. government. In a comment letter sent to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tuesday, attorneys general praised the department for the rule propping up religious freedom and conscience rights, ‘assuring that Americans may abide by their religious, moral and ethical beliefs without fear of government intimidation and discrimination.’ While the department said the proposed rules would give states flexibility, and roll back policies that prevent people from practicing their profession and conscience, critics say the rule would freeze out funding for abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood. The group letter was co-led by Paxton and Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Tuesday was the last day to comment on the proposed rule.” [Houston Chronicle, 3/31/18]

• New Rule Claimed To Protect Health Workers Who Objected To Participating In Abortions And Other Procedures. According to the Associated Press, “Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has signed a letter supporting President Donald Trump’s effort to protect the rights of health workers who object to participating in abortions and other procedures. Wasden, a Republican, joined 16 other attorneys general in a March 27 letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. ‘The Department’s decision to return now to obeying these statutes and opinions is vital to restoring the rule of law to Washington,’ the letter states. ‘Re-opening opportunities for cooperation between the Department and the state governments on the front lines of public health, and assuring that Americans may abide by their religious, moral, and ethical beliefs without fear of government intimidation and discrimination.’ Under Trump’s administration, a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division will be created to oversee cases where clinicians object to participating in abortion, euthanasia and other procedures because it would violate their conscience or religious beliefs.” [Associated Press, 3/30/18]