Judge clears way for delay of federal ‘conscience rule’

A federal judge in New York yesterday certified a change to when the Trump administration’s “conscience rule” for health care providers will go into effect. Instead of later this month, the rules will be in place starting Nov. 22. The rules were announced in May this year and would allow providers to decline medical care such as abortions based on conscientious or religious objections. At least three jurisdictions in California, including the city of San Francisco and the state itself, are suing the federal government, as is a coalition of states led by New York. HHS over the weekend agreed to the new date after a federal judge in the California cases made it official, while those opposing the new rules seek a preliminary injunction.