Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act

This bill tells the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to bring back a rule from 2019 that protects “conscience rights” in health care. That rule lets health workers and organizations refuse to take part in certain services if doing so conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs, following federal conscience and anti-discrimination laws. The new rule must match or be very close to the 2019 version, and it must replace any rule that conflicts with it.

HHS would have 6 months after the bill becomes law to issue the rule. The bill also uses the same definitions that were in the 2019 rule.

• Who is affected: Health care workers and organizations, patients seeking services, and HHS regulators.
• What changes: HHS must issue a final rule that mirrors the 2019 conscience protections and makes it clear that it overrides any conflicting rules.
• When: Within 6 months after the bill becomes law.