H.R. 3411: Conscience Protection Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Conscience Protection Act of 2025, aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure that health care entities are protected from discrimination if they choose not to participate in abortion-related services. Here is a breakdown of the major provisions of this bill:

Purpose and Findings

The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of conscience, particularly in health care. It cites various historical legal protections for health care providers who have moral, ethical, or religious objections to participating in abortions. Notably, it mentions issues with states mandating abortion coverage and the federal government's inconsistent enforcement of existing conscience protections.

Key Provisions

Prohibition on Discrimination

• The bill prohibits any federal, state, or local government entity, or any organization receiving federal funds, from penalizing or discriminating against health care entities that do not provide, facilitate, or pay for abortions.
• Health care entities can still choose to participate in abortion-related services voluntarily, but they must not be punished for opting out.

Strengthening Enforcement

• The legislation aims to enhance the enforcement of existing federal conscience laws by enabling the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations and investigate complaints regarding violations.
• It provides a framework for health care entities and individuals to seek legal redress if they believe their rights under these provisions have been violated.

Legal Actions and Remedies

• Individuals or entities adversely affected by violations of these protections have the right to pursue civil action.
• The bill allows for seeking remedies, including compensatory damages, legal fees, and injunctive relief against entities that violate the conscience protections.

Definitions

Key definitions include:

• Health care entity: This includes individuals like physicians and nurses, as well as hospitals, laboratories, and health insurance providers.
• Federal financial assistance: This refers to any federal payments for health care services or other support for health-related activities.

Severability

The bill states that if any part is found unconstitutional, the remainder will still be effective. This ensures that the overall intent of the legislation remains intact, even if specific provisions face legal challenges.

Relevant Companies

None found.