Donald Trump

San Francisco Sues Trump Over Conscience Rights

The city of San Francisco is suing the Trump administration over its new regulation allowing health care professionals to opt out of providing treatments they oppose.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for Northern California on Thursday, hours after President Donald Trump made the announcement. He argues the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services exceeded its statutory authority when it created the rule.

The rule would require institutions that receive money from federal programs to certify that they comply with some 25 federal laws protecting conscience and religious rights.

Herrera said San Francisco could lose nearly $1 billion in federal funding for health care programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.

He said the regulation prioritizes religious beliefs over patient care and undermines access to birth control, abortion, HIV treatment and other medical services.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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