Health-care providers will face a loss of federal funding if they violate the Health and Human Services Department’s new “conscience rule.” The rule allows workers to refuse to participate in care if a procedure violates their religious beliefs.
Bottom Line: In other contexts, employers can refuse a worker’s request for a religious accommodation if it is overly burdensome. That’s not the case under this rule, which critics say leaves employers little recourse even if their business suffers.
Lawsuits Fly: Several states are suing to block the rule. They assert that the rule is so broad that workers with no connection ...