Rep. Lujan Grisham Introduces Legislation To Abolish HHS Discriminatory Division

Press Release

U.S. Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham introduced the "Eliminating the HHS Discrimination Division of 2018" which would abolish the newly created Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Trump Administration's new division and accompanying proposed rule entitled, "Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Health Care; Delegations of Authority" have been widely criticized due to concerns that they will enable discrimination throughout the U.S. health care system.

This legislation has been endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the National Women's Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, Equality New Mexico, the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and the National Center for Transgender Equality.

"A patient's health and wellness should always come first and the Trump Administration has no business facilitating discrimination and creating barriers for medically necessary health care that will ultimately harm patient health and endanger lives," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "This Division was created with the sole purpose of allowing hospitals, doctors, nurses, and even administrative staff to determine a patient's care based on their personal religious beliefs, not on what is best for the patient. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure that every American, regardless of their gender identity, reproductive health care choices, or need for any type of medical care, has access to quality, comprehensive health care."

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