Proposed Health and Human Services regs protecting health care workers religiously opposed to providing certain medical services

[Brownstein, Alan]

The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed regulations that will protect health care workers who are religiously opposed to performing or assisting in performing certain medical procedures from being required to do so. 45 CFR part 88. The regulations seem to apply to any medical entity that receives government grants or contracts. Does anyone know the full scope of these regs?

More specifically, if an employer believes that a particular medical procedure is morally justified and therapeutically necessary, are they prohibited from discriminating against staff members who refuse to perform or assist in the performance of the procedure on religious grounds? Are they prohibited from requiring staff to perform or assist in the performance of such procedures?

Thanks.

Feel free to respond on or off list.

Alan Brownstein