HHS rule would encourage discrimination, Democrats charge

Senate Democrats say a proposed rule from the Trump administration could expand healthcare providers’ reasons for refusing care to patients based on their personal beliefs, a move they believe could increase discrimination.

The 18 Democrats sent a letter Tuesday to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar opposing the rule. The proposed regulation was released in January and seeks to expand the ability for healthcare providers to not perform procedures that go against their religious beliefs, such as abortion.