Proposed Legislation Aims to Protect Religious Freedom in Healthcare
Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma is preparing to introduce a new bill on Wednesday designed to protect religious freedom and conscience rights within the healthcare sector.
The Conscience Protection Act of 2025 seeks to prevent any level of government—federal, state, or local—from penalizing or discriminating against healthcare providers who refuse to partake in abortion services, whether that means performing, referring, paying for, or otherwise participating in them. This legislation would shield healthcare workers from being required to provide or fund abortion-related services and also create a legal avenue for individuals whose rights are infringed upon.
This new bill aims to build upon the Weldon Amendment, which has been included in yearly appropriations bills since 2004. Lankford has previously proposed the Conscience Protection Act in 2024 and 2021, but attempts to obtain unanimous consent for its passage faced opposition from Senate Democrats.
In a statement, Lankford emphasized the dilemma healthcare workers face when their conscience rights are not upheld, saying that they often must choose between their beliefs and their jobs. “Many health care professionals went into their careers to protect life, not take life,” he noted, adding:
“Doctors and nurses should never have to make the choice between their career and their conscience. The Conscience Protection Act defends health care workers and empowers them to stand by convictions as they care for their community.”
Lankford’s office pointed out that Congress has passed over 25 laws aimed at safeguarding the conscience rights of individuals who object to abortion and certain medical practices. While courts typically have not recognized a private right of action for individuals to sue over violations of these laws, this new act seeks to address that gap.
The introduction of this legislation coincides with a renewed focus on religious freedom under the Trump administration. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced a compliance review concerning a hospital accused of violating the conscience rights of ultrasound technicians who declined to participate in abortion procedures.
This HHS action aligns with the president’s recent executive order to establish a Religious Liberty Commission aimed at protecting religious freedoms in America.
In the House, Rep. August Pfluger, a Republican from Texas, is sponsoring complementary legislation. Pfluger expressed his commitment to defending life and stated, “For me, protecting the unborn is not just a policy stance—it’s a moral obligation.” He added:
“The Conscience Protection Act of 2025 safeguards health care professionals from being penalized or discriminated against for not participating in, paying for, or facilitating abortions due to their deeply held beliefs.”
Pfluger also highlighted that the bill strengthens the Weldon Amendment, assuring that no provider faces government punishment for following their conscience, and expressed pride in working alongside Lankford to oppose policies he views as radical.
During the previous Trump administration, conscience and religious freedom protections were also prioritized. The HHS Office for Civil Rights created a division focused specifically on enforcing these conscience protections.
