Administration delays implementation of conscience rule

The Trump administration has agreed to postpone implementing its “conscience” rule while a California lawsuit challenging the measure proceeds. The Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Health Care; Delegations of Authority rule was scheduled to take effect on July 22. It would require health care institutions that receive federal money to comply with federal laws protecting the conscience and religious rights of their employees. Opponents of the rule fear it will limit access to controversial procedures. (AP story, 6/30/19)