AFA of PA ACTION ALERT
July 26, 2019
Issue
HHS Seeking to Implement Conscience Protections – Wants Your Comments
Details
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act provides that individuals cannot be subject to discrimination based on their race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. However, under the Obama Administration in 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reinterpreted “on the basis of sex” to include termination of pregnancy and gender identity which it defined as one’s internal sense of being “male, female, neither, or a combination of male and female.”
The 2016 reinterpretation mandated the performance of and insurance coverage for gender transitions (even on children) and abortions. This gross reinterpretation of the law never took effect as it was blocked by two federal courts because it lacked conscience protections for health-care workers who have religious or ethical objections to performing such procedures. Now Trump’s HHS desires to rescind the Obama rule and is seeking public comment on the proposed “Nondiscrimination in Health and Health Education Programs or Activities” through August 13th.
“When Congress prohibited sex discrimination, it did so according to the plain meaning of the term, and we are making our regulations conform,” said HHS Office of Civil Rights Director Roger Severino. “The American people want vigorous protection of civil rights and faithfulness to the text of the laws passed by their representatives,” said Severino. “The proposed rule would accomplish both goals.”
Action Steps
Law requires that HHS read every comment they receive in response a proposed policy change. HHS needs to hear from those who support this new rule change and correct interpretation of the law. Those supporting abortion and the LGBTQ+ agenda will be commenting in opposition to it!
Leave your comments on their website here
There you will find a summary of the proposed rule change; below that click on “Comment Now” to leave a comment. Remember comments must be submitted by end of day on August 13, 2019.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
This rule change is necessary because insurance companies should not be forced to cover abortions or “sex reassignment” surgeries. This is un-American!
No doctor which understands that life begins at conception should be forced to perform abortions. A doctor should have conscience protections to protect their deeply held beliefs. They should be protected under the First Amendment.
The word “sex” should never have been reinterpreted to include ‘gender identity.’ This was never the intent of the original authors of the law. This rule change would fix that misinterpretation.
There is no transgender gene and doctors should not be forced to affirm the delusion that someone can change gender. This concept is dangerous and does not show compassion to someone who is confused about their gender. They need help, not surgery. This rule change is very important.
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