WASHINGTON — National Right to Life commends the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for launching investigations into thirteen states for potential violations of the Weldon Amendment, a longstanding federal law that protects the conscience rights of health care providers and entities.

“Americans should never be forced to choose between their deeply held moral or religious convictions and their ability to participate in the health care system,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “We commend HHS for enforcing federal conscience protections and ensuring that states do not trample on these fundamental rights.”

The Weldon Amendment prohibits federal, state, and local governments from discriminating against health care entities that decline to participate in, pay for, or provide coverage of abortion. OCR’s action follows reports that certain states may be coercing health plans and issuers to cover abortion in violation of these protections.

“Coercing individuals or organizations to facilitate abortion against their beliefs is not only unjust—it is unlawful under federal statute,” Tobias added. “These investigations send a clear message that conscience rights are not optional and must be respected.” 

Earlier this year, OCR clarified that the Weldon Amendment applies broadly to include not only health care providers, but also insurers, employers, and plan sponsors. This clarification corrects a prior, narrower interpretation and reaffirms that conscience protections extend across the health care landscape. 

Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.