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Conscience and Religious Freedom

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Conscience and Religious Freedom and COVID-19

Guidance on the application of conscience and religious freedom laws during the nationwide public health emergency.

Conscience Protections

OCR enforces laws and regulations that protect conscience and prohibit coercion on issues such as abortion and assisted suicide (among others) in HHS-funded or conducted programs and activities.

Religious Freedom

OCR enforces laws and regulations that protect the free exercise of religion and prohibit discrimination in HHS-funded or conducted programs and activities.

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Filing a Complaint

You may file a conscience or religious freedom complaint with OCR if you feel a health care provider or government agency coerced or discriminated against you (or someone else) unlawfully.

Newsroom

Read the latest news releases and bulletins.

Civil Rights

HHS ensures that people have equal access and opportunities to participate in certain health care and human services programs without unlawful discrimination.

HIPAA - Health Information Privacy

Find guidance and more information about the HIPAA Privacy Rule, including what information is protected and how health information is used and disclosed.

Office for Civil Rights

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) ensures equal access to certain health and human services and protects the privacy and security of health information.

Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
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