Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act

# Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act (HR 2874) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would expand protections for healthcare workers who object to performing certain medical procedures on religious or moral grounds. Specifically, it would prevent the federal government from taking action against healthcare providers—including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals—who refuse to perform procedures they believe violate their conscience. The bill would also prevent healthcare facilities from being penalized or losing federal funding for allowing their staff to opt out of these procedures. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects healthcare providers and facilities that receive federal funding, as well as patients seeking medical care.

It could impact access to procedures in areas where healthcare workers exercise these objections, and would apply to any medical procedure that triggers a provider's moral or religious concerns. **Current Status:** The bill remains in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. As introduced legislation, it has not advanced further in the legislative process. The bill represents an expansion of existing "conscience clause" protections that already exist in limited form under current law.