Biden administration to scrap blocked 'conscience rule' that allows health care workers to refuse services

"The Biden administration is preparing to scrap a Trump-era rule that allows medical workers to refuse to provide services that conflict with their religious or moral beliefs," according to three people familiar with the matter, Alice Miranda Ollstein and Adam Cancryn report for Politico. "A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that the policy change is underway."

The move comes as many Republican-led states are seeking to limit access to abortion and gender-affirming medical care, and just after a leaked draft majority opinion would have the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

"The so-called conscience rule, unveiled in 2018 and finalized in 2019, was blocked by federal courts after dozens of states, cities and advocacy groups sued, and has never been implemented," Politico reports. "Had it gone forward, it would have allowed doctors, nurses, medical students, pharmacists and other health workers to refuse to provide abortions, contraception, gender-affirming care, HIV and STD services, vasectomies or any procedure to which they object."

The Office of Management and Budget is reviewing the proposed regulation, often the final step before one is unveiled to the public, Politico reports.