The Trump administration today issued a rule aimed at allowing healthcare workers to use religion as a reason to deny patients medical care. The move comes in the wake of the administration’s Jan. 18 decision to create a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The new office will be tasked with enforcing today’s rule.
New HHS Office On ‘Religious Freedom’ Endangers Americans’ Health, Says Americans United
Today, the Trump administration created a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This new division will enforce the administration’s extreme and harmful interpretations of federal religious freedom laws. In addition, it will enforce a still unreleased rule that will allow health care workers to use religion as a reason to deny services to patients.
The Trump Administration Plans To Allow Religion-Based Discrimination In Your Healthcare
The Trump Administration today is expected release yet another new rule aimed at allowing religion to be used to discriminate against women and LGBTQ people.
We’re Watching To Make Sure State Legislatures Don’t Permit Religion To Be Used To Discriminate
Religious Freedom laws should be a shield to protect religious freedom, not a sword used to harm others. But this year, as in past sessions, legislators continue to introduce so-called religious freedom bills that would allow taxpayer-funded social service providers, individuals, and businesses to use religion to discriminate and deny people their rights.
On Religious Freedom Day, Let’s Recommit To Defend That Vital Principle
Today we celebrate Religious Freedom Day. After nearly a year of the Trump-Pence administration’s unwavering attacks on the freedom of religion and belief, some might wonder what there is to celebrate. But today, we can be thankful for the fact that Americans United has been successful in fighting many of the administration’s reckless assaults on this core freedom.
AU’s 2018 Student Essay Contest Asks Youth To Identify Threats To Church-State Separation
Today Americans United is launching its 2018 Student Essay Contest!
Here Are The Top Ten Church-State Stories From 2017
Americans United Applauds Another Federal Court Ruling Blocking Trump Birth Control Regulations
A federal court in California today issued an order temporarily blocking implementation of the Trump administration’s rules that allow employers and universities to cite religious or moral objections to restrict employees’ and students’ access to birth control. This is the second federal court to block the rules from going into effect.
Kentucky Judge Reprimanded For Refusing To Hear Adoption Cases Involving LGBTQ Parents
Kentucky’s Judicial Conduct Commission this week reprimanded a judge who made headlines earlier this year for refusing to hear adoption cases involving LGBTQ parents.
A Federal Agency Is Hiding Public Comments About Its Policies Concerning Faith-Based Organizations. AU Would Like To Know Why.
A Federal Court Has Blocked Trump’s Regulations That Would Deny Countless Women Access To Birth Control
A federal judge in Pennsylvania on Friday blocked rules that the Trump administration issued last October that would allow any employer or university to use religion as an excuse to deny their employees and students health insurance coverage for birth control.
Roy Moore Won’t Be Joining The US Senate. Here’s Why That’s A Good Thing
The people of Alabama did America a favor last night by voting against Roy Moore for a seat in the US Senate. Moore is just what we don’t need right now. His disdain for fundamental American values—from religious freedom to civil rights and equality to the rule of law—makes him a danger to our democracy.
Our Nation’s Higher Education Law Shouldn’t Include A License To Discriminate
This morning, another bill that allows religion to be used to discriminate started making its way through Congress. Hidden in the bill dubbed the PROSPER Act are several provisions that would allow religious student groups and religious colleges and universities that get taxpayer funds to use religion to get around nondiscrimination policies that protect students and employees at these schools.
Survey Says: Majority Of Americans Believe Employee Health Insurance Plans Should Cover Birth Control
Opposing Viewpoints At The Atlantic’s LGBTQ Summit
Americans United lawyer Kelly Percival attended “Unfinished Business”—the LGBTQ summit hosted by The Atlantic in Washington, DC. The annual event is free to the public and seeks to showcase the current state of LGBTQ rights in the United States.
We Told The Trump Administration That Religion Is No Excuse To Roll Back Birth Control Access
We Hope The Supreme Court Rules That Businesses Should Be Open To All In Masterpiece Cakeshop Case
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Americans United staff members were outside with allies urging the higher court to say businesses should be #OpenToAll and that they should not be allowed to use religion to discriminate.
The Masterpiece Cakeshop Case Is About Discrimination, Not Dessert
The Supreme Court Should Make It Clear That Businesses Can’t Use Religion To Discriminate
The US Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission—an important case that will have significant implications on nondiscrimination laws that protect everyone, regardless of religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and more—on Tuesday, Dec. 5.