Statement from Dr. Dorothy Fink, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Office for Civil Rights, is tasked with enforcement of many of our nation’s laws that protect the fundamental and unalienable rights of conscience and religious exercise. It shall be a priority of the Department to strengthen enforcement of these laws. To this end, the Office for Civil Rights will reevaluate its regulations and guidance pertaining to Federal laws on conscience and religious exercise.

For nearly 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has protected taxpayer funds administered by the Department from paying for elective abortion. Pursuant to the President’s Executive Order of Jan. 24 (Enforcing the Hyde Amendment) and guidance from Office of Management and Budget, the Department will reevaluate all programs, regulations, and guidance to ensure Federal taxpayer dollars are not being used to pay for or promote elective abortion, consistent with the Hyde Amendment. This review will be conducted consistent with guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget.

The Department celebrates the United States’ rejoining of the historic Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family. The Declaration is based around four pillars: (1) better health for women, (2) the preservation of human life, (3) strengthening of the family as the foundational unit of society, and (4) protecting every nation's national sovereignty. The Office of Global Affairs will support the Secretary of State in restoring the United States’ leadership in the Geneva Consensus Declaration coalition.