Bill · H.R. 2874· House(119-HR-2874)
Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act
- Introduced
- 4/10/2025
- Last activity
- 4/10/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- John Moolenaar
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act," aims to regulate the protection of statutory conscience rights in health care. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a final rule within six months of the act's enactment. This new rule must be identical or materially equivalent to the former rule found in part 88 of title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations as it existed on July 22, 2019. Additionally, the new rule must specify that it supersedes any contrary rule currently in existence.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue specific regulations that supersede current rules.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Does this make abortion easier to get?-5
By reinstating the 2019 conscience rule, the bill strengthens the ability of healthcare providers to deny services like abortion based on moral or religious objections.
Would women be better off under this?-4
The bill's focus on conscience rights can lead to reduced access to reproductive health services for women.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?-3
The expansion of conscience protections may create barriers to accessing specific medical services for patients.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Consistency in Health Care Regulations: The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a final rule that is identical or materially equivalent to a specific former rule from July 22, 2019 (Section 2(a)(1)). This could provide a stable regulatory environment regarding statutory conscience rights.
-
Clarity of Authority: By requiring the final rule to supersede any contrary rule in existence on the date of issuance, the bill seeks to establish a clear standard (Section 2(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Abortion Access-5Improves Healthcare Access-3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women-4Good For Low Income Households-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality-2
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.