On Wednesday, Politico reported that the Trump-Pence White House is currently reviewing a proposed Department of Health and Human Services regulation that would allow medical providers to refuse to perform abortions, treat transgender patients based on their gender identity, or provide any service if they claim a  “moral” or religious objection.

“If adopted, this proposal would be another harmful attack on LGBTQ people by Donald Trump and Mike Pence. Health care workers have a professional and ethical obligation to provide health care to all who need it” said Sarah Warbelow, HRC Legal Director. “Every American deserves access to medically necessary health care, and that health care should not be determined by the personal opinions of individual health care providers or administrative staff. The Human Rights Campaign will fight this proposed rule--and all others like it--that seek to devalue the humanity of LGBTQ people.”

The proposed rule would create a new “division” in the civil rights office of HHS, which would provide staffing and other resources to enforce these troubling new standards -- tying the hands of health care providers from taking any action against anti-LGBTQ employees who opt-out of critical procedures.

Mike Pence has a long history of discrimination against LGBTQ citizens in public accommodations. As Governor of Indiana, he tied up crucial HIV testing services in a scheme to defund Planned Parenthood and as vice president, has helped lead the charge behind the executive order granting a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and banning transgender service members in the military.

The Human Rights Campaign has always fought for the inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQ people in health care spaces and will continue to ensure bigotry has no place where the most vulnerable in our society seek help.