Bills · S 47
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 47MedicareHealth personnel
Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act
INTRO JAN 9· LAST ACTION JAN 9
READING
1MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it deals with a long-standing debate about balancing the rights of healthcare providers with the need for patient access to care. If this bill becomes law, it would solidify and expand the legal protections for healthcare workers and institutions who have moral or religious objections to performing certain medical services. This could mean that providers are less likely to be compelled to participate in procedures they find objectionable, which supporters view as a victory for religious freedom.
Conversely, critics worry it could lead to reduced access for patients, especially in areas with fewer healthcare options, if a significant number of providers exercise these expanded conscience protections. If the bill does not become law, the current landscape of conscience protections in healthcare would remain, which some argue is insufficient for providers and others argue strikes a better balance for patient access. It directly impacts ongoing discussions about religious liberty, patient rights, and the scope of healthcare services.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue a final rule within 6 months of the bill's enactment.
This sets a clear, time-sensitive mandate for the federal government to act on this issue.
PROVISION 02
The final rule must be identical or materially equivalent to a specific former regulation (45 CFR Part 88) as it was on July 22, 2019.
This provision defines the exact content and scope of the protections that must be re-established, ensuring a specific standard for conscience rights.
PROVISION 03
The new rule must explicitly state that it supersedes any other conflicting rules in existence at the time it is issued.
This ensures the reinstated conscience protection rule takes legal precedence over any other regulations that might contradict it.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Missouri
YRS IN OFFICE
7
BILLS LED
51
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 9
Introduced in Senate
JAN 9
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 47
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 9, 2025
Last actionJan 9, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 9, 2025
Senate BillS 47MedicareHealth personnel
Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act
INTRODUCED JAN 9, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 9, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
1 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
