The Trump Administration is taking decisive action against Presbyterian Hospital for allegedly forcing medical professionals to participate in abortions, launching a significant federal investigation through the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
Key Takeaways
- Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico is under federal investigation for potentially forcing staff to assist in abortion procedures against their religious beliefs
- The hospital changed its religious accommodation policy, requiring ultrasound technicians to participate in abortions despite conscience objections
- The American Center for Law & Justice intervened on behalf of five medical professionals, citing violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Church Amendments
- The Trump Administration’s HHS action directly contrasts with the Biden Administration’s 2022 rollback of conscience protections for healthcare workers
- The hospital ultimately reversed its policy after legal pressure, but HHS is conducting a compliance review to ensure federal conscience rights are protected
Federal Investigation Launched into Hospital’s Abortion Practices
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated a formal investigation into Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, following allegations that the hospital attempted to force medical professionals to participate in abortion procedures against their religious beliefs. The investigation comes after the hospital allegedly altered its religious accommodation policy to require ultrasound technicians to assist in abortion procedures, despite their requests for exemptions based on deeply held religious convictions. This federal compliance review aims to determine whether the hospital violated federal conscience protection laws designed to protect healthcare workers.
“President Trump’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reached out to the ACLJ after learning from our article about how a hospital was forcing medical professionals to participate in abortions, and now HHS has just launched a federal investigation of the hospital” Stated by, President trump
Legal Advocacy for Religious Liberty in Healthcare
The American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) played a crucial role in defending the five ultrasound technicians by sending a demand letter to Presbyterian Hospital, citing federal protections including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Church Amendments. These laws explicitly protect healthcare workers from being compelled to participate in procedures that violate their religious or moral beliefs. Following the ACLJ’s intervention, the hospital reversed its policy and granted religious accommodations to the technicians, but the federal investigation continues to ensure full compliance.
“The Department is committed to enforcement of our nation’s laws that safeguard the fundamental rights of conscience and religious exercise,” acting OCR director Anthony Archeval said. “Health care professionals should not be coerced into, fired for, or driven out of the profession for declining to perform procedures that Federal law says they do not have to perform based on their religious beliefs or moral convictions” Stated by, Anthony Archeval
Trump Administration Prioritizes Conscience Protections
This enforcement action by the Trump Administration stands in stark contrast to the Biden Administration’s 2022 rollback of conscience protections for healthcare workers. Under Biden, HHS had filed a lawsuit under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), attempting to require emergency room doctors to perform abortions even in states with protective pro-life laws. The Trump Justice Department has since dropped this case, ending federal efforts to mandate health worker participation in abortions against their conscience or religious beliefs.
“This kind of enforcement action is both rare and significant. It sends a powerful message to healthcare institutions across the country: You cannot force medical professionals to choose between their careers and their faith,” ACLJ’s Jordan Sekulow responded. “We commend the Trump Administration for taking this issue seriously and moving to protect religious liberty in the healthcare context.”
Broader Implications for Religious Liberty
This case represents a significant moment in the ongoing national debate over the balance between abortion access and religious freedom protections. The HHS compliance review underscores the principle that no American should be forced to violate their conscience as a condition of employment. Healthcare institutions are now on notice that forcing staff to participate in morally objectionable procedures could trigger federal investigations and potential penalties. For conservative Americans concerned about religious liberty erosion, this enforcement action signals the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting conscience rights.
“After we took action on behalf of five ultrasound technicians in New Mexico who were concerned that they would soon be compelled to participate in abortion procedures despite their deeply held religious beliefs, the federal government has now launched a formal investigation into the hospital’s conduct ” Stated by, Sekulow
