Whitfield Votes to Protect Conscience Rights of Health Care Providers

NEWS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) on Wednesday voted in favor of  S. 304, the Conscience Protection Act of 2016.  This legislation would reaffirm protections found in the Weldon amendment, which prevents government discrimination against doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other health care entities that refuse to participate in abortion.  Currently, the only avenue for discriminated parties to seek relief is to file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services that has refused to enforce the law and recognize conscience rights are being violated.  The Conscience Protection Act gives discriminated parties an additional option: to have their day in court.  Whitfield released the following statement upon passage:

“No individual or institution with a deeply held objection to abortion should be forced to participate in one.  For years, this principle has shared broad bipartisan support and conscience protections have been built into law to protect the rights of those who believe all life is sacred.  Sadly, the Obama Administration has disregarded the law once again and refused to protect the rights of those opposed to abortion.

“The Conscience Protection Act will prohibit the federal government or entities receiving taxpayer dollars from violating the conscience rights of citizens and organizations by codifying longstanding pro-life protections and creating a pathway for those who feel their rights have been violated to seek relief in court.”

 

For more information on S. 304, click HERE.

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