Washington • Acting Health and Human Services secretary Eric Hargan on Thursday announced the creation of a new conscience and religious freedom division aimed at protecting doctors, nurses and other health care workers who decline to participate in care that goes against their moral or religious convictions.
Speaking at an event featuring Republican lawmakers and religious leaders, Hargan noted that many of the nation's hospitals, clinics and hospices are run by faith-based groups. And many have found themselves forced to provide services or referrals that violate what they believe.
"For too long, too many of these health care practitioners have been bullied and discriminated against," he said.