Biden-Harris Administration Moves to Rescind Trump-era Refusal of Care Rule
For Immediate Release: Dec. 29, 2022
PPFA and partners brought a suit against Trump administration over the rule in 2019
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Biden-Harris administration released proposed rulemaking to permanently rescind the Trump administration-era “refusal of care” rule.
The refusal of care rule would have endangered patients by granting health care workers — including physicians, nurses, receptionists, EMTs, and call center staff — the right to deny access to information and health care if they disagree with the care itself. It would have created barriers to providers who want to provide the full range of reproductive health services. The proposed rule, which would permanently rescind most of the egregious aspects of the Trump-era policy, is an important step to ensuring that patients have access to the care they need. The Trump administration rule was previously blocked by numerous federal district courts.
Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
“This refusal of care rule was yet another tactic by the Trump administration to try to stop people from getting health care. This rule was part of efforts at all levels of government to strip people of their sexual and reproductive rights and freedom. We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for moving to permanently rescind this rule so that people can access the health care and information they need when they need it. This administration must continue to take a whole-of-government approach in addressing the sexual and reproductive health care crisis our nation faces at the hands of politicians projecting their unpopular personal beliefs on the communities they serve, and a Supreme Court failing to protect our rights. At Planned Parenthood, our patients come first. We will always fight to protect the health care they need, including safe, legal abortion.”
The Trump-era rule was set to take effect in November 2019. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on behalf of its member-affiliates, and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, sued the Trump administration to block the rule, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York struck down the rule. The Eastern District of Washington and the Northern District of California also ruled to vacate the rule in separate cases. Under the Trump administration, HHS appealed those rulings, but the cases were held in abeyance since early 2021 as the Biden administration reassessed the rule.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.