RFK Jr. reopens religious liberty division at HHS for anti-abortion conscience protections

Published May 18, 2026 3:00pm ET



Enforcing rules on protecting religious freedom and conscience rights in healthcare settings, especially on the issues of abortion and gender transition medicine, is becoming a top priority for the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services.

The HHS Office of Civil Rights announced on Monday a significant restructuring to revive the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division that was initially created by President Donald Trump in 2018 and dissolved during the Biden administration. 

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