Following the announcement of a new rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services dramatically expanding the ability of healthcare institutions and workers to refuse to provide medical services if they have religious or moral objection, Katy Joseph, Interfaith Alliance policy and legislative advisor, expressed opposition to the rule in a statement, calling it a gift to the Religious Right:
“The new HHS rule allowing healthcare providers to prioritize their personal faith over patient care creates a legal preference for one set of beliefs over all others, directly undermining the religious freedom of all but a small segment of Americans.
“The Trump Administration’s gift to the Religious Right jeopardizes the wellbeing of patients seeking reproductive healthcare, LGBTQ+ people, and those in need of end-of-life care. The consequences for patients in rural and underserved areas may be disastrous.”
Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.