On March 27, 2018, AHIP addressed a comment letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on a proposed rule addressing the enforcement of federal health care conscience and associated anti-discrimination laws.
Our letter affirms that health plans are committed to providing a work environment that does not hinder employees from freely exercising their religious or moral convictions. We note that while health plans are committed to complying with religious freedom laws, the proposed rule exceeds the intent of the referenced statutes, which are not intended to apply to health plan workers. We also note that the requirements of the final rule must be implemented in a manner that preserves patients’ rights to access health care without discrimination.