Commentary: WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement in response to the announcement made by the Department of Health and Human Services to create a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division, which seeks to allow medical providers to refuse to provide women’s health care services, treat transgender patients based on their gender identity, or provide any service if they claim a “moral” or religious objection.
“It is outrageous that the Trump Administration intends to allow health care workers to discriminate against patients based on their LGBTQIA status or their need for reproductive health care services. The Department of Health and Human Services should focus on expanding care, services, and consumer protections for Americans, not on creating barriers to medically necessary health care. The stakes could not be higher; a federal agency should not be facilitating discrimination. Hospitals and providers have already turned away people for seeking health care, even when a woman’s life is in jeopardy. I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure every American, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or medical needs, have access to quality, comprehensive health care.”