Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act (HR2874)
Current understanding
HR2874 would direct HHS to reinstate the 2019 final rule implementing statutory conscience and religious protections for health care providers, entities, and workers participating in federally funded programs. The 2019 rule was vacated by federal courts on procedural and substantive grounds before taking effect. The bill revives a contested regulatory debate over the scope of provider refusal rights versus patient access to care, particularly in reproductive, end-of-life, and gender-related services.
Evidence log
- 2025-04-10 — Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act: cross-connection with conscience-protection-act-2025: Both bills expand statutory conscience protections for health care providers; HR2874 works through reinstating a vacated HHS rule, while HR3411 creates a direct statutory cause of action. (novelty: 2)