Washington • President Donald Trump on Thursday announced new “conscience protections” for health providers, insurers and employers who refuse to provide or pay for services, including abortion, sterilization or assisted suicide during a speech in front of faith leaders gathered for the National Day of Prayer.
Conservative who have raised religious liberty concerns about such services welcomed the rule, which was first proposed last year, while LGBTQ and women’s groups, among others, fear it could lead to discrimination and a dearth of certain services, as doctors and others might decline to offer certain treatments, or to treat gay and transgender people.