Fortenberry, Colleagues Reintroduce Health Care Conscience Rights Act

Press Release

Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Diane Black (R-TN), and John Fleming (R-LA) today announced the reintroduction of the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (H.R. 940). This legislation would protect Americans' freedom of conscience by offering full exemption from the Health and Human Services mandate that creates ethical dilemmas for health care providers and small business owners. The bill ensures protections for individuals and health care entities that refuse to provide, pay for, or refer patients to abortion providers because of their deeply held beliefs.

The legislation would also address the unlawful violation of religious freedom in California, where the state Department of Managed Health Care issued a directive requiring that all insurance plans offered on the state exchange include coverage for abortions, including plans provided by churches, religious entities, and others with conscionable objections to such procedures.

"The rights of conscience and religious freedom preexist the government," Fortenberry said. "They are rights grounded by the demands of human dignity and are enshrined in our Constitution. It is a true poverty--that in the name of health care--this most cherished American principle is under assault, violating longstanding legislative agreement and precedent. The Health Care Conscience Rights Act restores this principle for all Americans."

The Health Care Conscience Rights Act currently has 110 bipartisan cosponsors. Fortenberry, Black, and Fleming originally introduced H.R. 940 in the 113th Congress.

Fortenberry is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

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