S.Amdt. 3481

SA 3481, submitted by Mr. Lankford, aims to add conscience protections for members of the Armed Forces who provide or assist with health care within the Department of Defense.

The amendment intends to change the bill by ensuring the Secretary of Defense does not take adverse action against a member who refuses to perform, assist, refer for, or participate in a specific medical procedure, counseling activity, or treatment based on:

• A sincere moral conviction or religious belief.
• The member's professional medical judgment that the action would be harmful to the patient.

The amendment defines adverse action as any discrimination, adverse personnel action, or the denial of assignment, training, schooling, or promotion.

Additionally, the amendment requires the Secretary to ensure that patients are not unduly delayed in receiving routine, emergency, preventative, or other medically indicated care they are eligible for due to these protections.