Health Care Providers' Religious Objections to Medical Treatment: Legal Issues Related to Religious Discrimination in Employment and Conscience Clause

This report discusses situations in which religious objections may be raised in health care. The report examines the legal protections for individuals with religious and moral objections to their employment duties offered by the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and federl conscience clauses. Finally, the report analyzes the two sets of protections and how they may affet health care providers who have religious objections to medical procedures.

In the 111th Congress, versions of health reform legislation in the House (H.R. 3962) and the Senate (amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3590) also contain conscience rotections for health care entities' objections to abortion. The Senate legislation also provides protections for health care entities that refuse to participate in assisted suicide.

Date of Report: November 20, 2009

Number of Pages: 10

Order Number: R40722

Price: $29.95

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