Summary

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue, within six months of enactment, a final regulation that reinstates the former Part 88 conscience protections in 45 C.F.R. The required final rule must match the previous Part 88 text, replace any conflicting rules in effect when issued, and use the same defined terms as the former Part 88 rule.

Key Points

• Directs HHS to issue a final rule within six months that reinstates the former Part 88 conscience rule in 45 C.F.R.
• Requires the final rule to match the language and definitions of the former Part 88 rule.
• Mandates that the final rule replace any contrary HHS rule in effect at the time it is issued.
• All terms used are given the meanings found in the former Part 88 rule, tying interpretation to that prior regulatory text.
• Does not create new funding or separate enforcement procedures; implementation uses existing regulatory mechanisms.
• Outcome will be regulatory—restoring the earlier framework for conscience protections in health care.
• May trigger legal challenges or administrative changes as agencies, providers, and institutions adapt to the reinstated rule.

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