Religious Restrictions

Are you getting the care you need? More and more often, the moral and religious beliefs of certain health care providers are limiting the public's access to health care. Many consumers are unaware that these providers refuse to perform certain services or give information that patients want, even when the law requires that they do so. Consumers do not find out about limits on services until they are denied care. By then it is often too late to do anything about it. This brochure arms consumers with the information they need before they make health care decisions.

As you may know, some health care providers, both individuals and institutions1, have a religiously-based objection to providing certain services, referrals, or even information. These providers may object to some or all forms of assisted reproduction, even those that help treat the disease of infertility within a marriage. Their religiously based objections are all the more fervent around issues of surrogacy, egg and sperm donation and gay and lesbian parenting.