The new "conscience rule" which allows health care providers more leverage to decline care that they disagree with has disability advocates worried.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized an updated “conscience rule” that protects medical staff and health care entities from having to provide, refer to, or pay for services such as abortion, sterilization or assisted suicide.  Advocates feel that the implications are much more extensive because the rule says that an individual can’t be required to “perform or assist” in any part of a “health service program” if contrary to the person’s religious beliefs or moral convictions. 

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