Religious Restrictions

Those who support the right to refuse claim that refusals do not actually cause harm to patients. Advocates who oppose the right of providers to impede or delay patients’ access to needed medical care are often faced with the following question: can’t patients just go somewhere else? This question fails to recognize the variety of harms that come from refusals based on providers’ religious beliefs. Many do not realize that a health care worker’s refusal to provide services, information or referrals can have very serious emotional, physical and financial consequences for patients.

On December 18, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule that, in addition to posing a serious threat to women’s health, significantly limits all patients’ access to health care and important information about their health care options. This rule has serious implications for those providing HIV/AIDS services and information. The following are some facts that every HIV advocate should know about the HHS rule.