WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its final rule to revise a Trump-era policy that dismantled meaningful protections for beneficiaries of federally funded health care programs and stripped away basic notice requirements designed to ensure that beneficiaries know their rights to be free from discrimination and their right to an alternative, non-religious provider. In a major win for equality, the new rule restores those protections and requirements. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — issued the following statement:

“This is a victory for patients, families and a victory for equality,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “This rule restores important protections for patients to ensure they are not turned away from essential medical care simply because of the beliefs of a health care provider. The right to believe and to exercise one’s faith is a core American value. The right to discriminate with taxpayer dollars is not. Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration for promoting health equity, protecting patients, and making clear that taxpayer funds should not be used to allow discrimination.”

The new rule will take effect March 11, 2024.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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