US Bishops applaud
protections for doctors objecting to abortion
 |
| US Deparment of health and Human Services headquarters |
The Bishops of the United States welcome new health regulations
that protect doctors’ rights to decline to perform abortions or “gender
transition” procedures.
By Devin Watkins
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
finalized a new rule on Friday that restricts the use of the term “sex
discrimination”.
Legislation in the Affordable Care Act forbids
federally-funded healthcare programs from discrimination on the basis of sex
(Section 1557).
In May 2016, however, guidelines expanded the definition of
“sex” to include “gender identity” and “termination of pregnancy”.
This meant that doctors who declined to perform sex-change
operations – or abortions – could face prosecution for sex discrimination.
‘Inappropriate expansion’
The HHS ruling on Friday said the 2016 regulation had
inappropriately expanded the definition of sex discrimination and “exceeded the
scope of the authority delegated by Congress.”
“HHS will enforce Section 1557 by returning to the
government’s interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain
meaning of the word ‘sex’ as male or female and as determined by biology,” the
announcement said.
Non-discrimination
In response, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
applauded HHS for promulgating the regulation.
They said it restores “the long-standing position of the federal
government that discrimination on the basis of ‘sex’ means just that and does
not refer to ‘termination of pregnancy’ nor ‘gender identity.’ ”
The Bishops added that the guidelines correspond to the
original intent of the Affordable Care Act, which is “to ensure no one is
discriminated against in health care because of their sex.”
Protecting health care providers
By restricting the definition of “sex discrimination”, the
regulations will “help restore the rights of health care providers – as well as
insurers and employers – who decline to perform or cover abortions or ‘gender
transition’ procedures due to ethical or professional objections.”
US Bishops reiterated that Catholic healthcare providers
“serve everyone who comes to them, regardless of characteristics or
background.”
However, they added, “there are ethical considerations when
it comes to procedures.”
Signatories
The joint statement was signed by the chairmen of three
USCCB committees.
These include Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Committee on
Pro-Life Activities, Archbishop Paul Coakley of the Committee on Domestic
Justice and Human Development, and Bishop David Konderla of the Subcommittee
for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.
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