HHS Releases Final Rule on Conscience Rights

The final rule clarifies the OCR’s authorities and enforcement tools, including affirming that the OCR is the designated office for receiving, handling, and investigating complaints; retaining descriptions of the OCR’s enforcement process that fall within HHS’s authority, and encouraging covered entities to post a notice explaining rights under the federal health care conscience protection statutes. The final rule also rescinds portions of the 2019 rule that would have stripped federal funding from health facilities that required workers to provide any service they objected to, such as abortions and gender-affirming care. According to HHS, the final rule strikes a balance between respecting the religious and moral rights of healthcare providers while protecting access to healthcare. The final rule will become effective on March 11, 2024.

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