CHCLA Files Comment Against HHS’ Proposed Rule That Violates Catholic Health Care Professionals Conscience Rights

For Immediate Release

October 04, 2022

For More Information Contact:

media@catholichealthalliance.org

Ormond Beach, FL-  On Friday, September 30, 2022, the Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance (CLCLA) filed a comment against a proposed change by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to Rule 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that would effectively force Catholic health care professionals to participate in gender transition procedures and abortions despite conscience objections based on religious belief.

CHCLA wrote “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act unlawfully and unconstitutionally requires health care professionals to provide services that violate the medical conscience and religious freedom rights of thousands of health care entities while creating an application based religious exemption process that unlawfully abrogates religious freedom protections guaranteed under the First Amendment and numerous federal statutes.” A copy of the comment can be found here.

Dr. Steven White, President of CHCLA and former president of the Catholic Medical Association, released the following statement:

“This proposed regulation is a terrible affront to the rights of doctors and other health care professionals to practice medicine according to their conscience. Catholic hospitals and Catholic health care professionals are bound to follow the long-standing tradition of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and His Church, providing life affirming care from conception to natural death and upholding the dignity of the human person. Doctors must never be forced to participate against their conscience.”

If you would like to set up an interview with Dr. Steven White of CHCLA, please contact media@catholichealthalliance.org.

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About the Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance

The Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance is an alliance of faithful Catholic organizations that supports the rights of patients and professionals to receive and provide health care in accordance with the moral, ethical, and social teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church through ongoing evangelization, education, advocacy, and mutual support. For more information, please visit www.catholichealthalliance.org.