There’s been a big break for those who have any connection with health care who might have faced troubles because of moral or religious objections they had against something they were asked to do. They’ll have a big, powerful friend in the new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division set up by the federal government’s Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS’ Roger Severino, director of its Office of Civil Rights, said on a media call, “For too long governments big and small have treated conscience claims with hostility instead of protection. But change is coming and it begins here and now.”

He pointed back to one of President Trump’s major goals. “On May 4th, 2017, we reached a turning point in America,” Severino explained. “On that day, President Trump issued a religious liberty executive order and changed the course of the federal government on the issue of religious freedom.” He said of Trump, “He promised to vigorously enforce federal law and its robust protections of religious freedom. He said we’re a nation of tolerance, and he said we will not allow people of faith to be targeted, bullied or silenced.” READ MORE