TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S FINAL RULE ALLOWS MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO REFUSE CARE

(Washington, D.C.) — Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule allowing health care providers to refuse to provide care or information to patients based upon their moral or religious beliefs. In practice, the rule will allow health care entities, or anyone involved in the health care delivery system to deny access to basic care—including the full spectrum of reproductive health care—to women, LGBTQ individuals and other marginalized populations.

Currently, there are 19.5 million women in need of publicly funded contraception who live in contraceptive deserts. These women lack reasonable access in their county to a health center that offers the full range of contraceptive methods. This rule will add yet another barrier that these women could face when trying to get the contraceptive method they need and that is right for them. Further, this rule will exacerbate access to abortion for women across the country.

In response, Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, Power to Decide issued the following statement:

“This new rule flies in the face of ensuring that all people have equitable access to quality and comprehensive health care. Patients should determine the care they need and want, and this rule poses dangerous barriers to care, particularly for women and LGBTQ people. We call upon all health care providers and systems to follow current medical ethical guidelines and do what is best for patients—no matter who they are or where they live. In so doing, they will continue to honor their patients’ rights to make their own decisions about their health care, including about birth control, sterilization and abortion.”

Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live or what their economic status might be—have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.