HHS Takes Action to Protect Whistleblowers who Defend Children and Launches First Conscience Investigation

HHS Publishes Whistleblower Guidance and Launches Complaint Portal for Whistleblowers on the Chemical and Surgical Mutilation of Children. HHS’ Office for Civil Rights Probes Hospital’s Compliance with Federal Law that Safeguards Conscience Rights in Health Care.

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published new guidance and launched a new online portal where whistleblowers can submit a tip or complaint regarding the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.

Today, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) also initiated an investigation of a major pediatric teaching hospital for allegedly terminating the employment of a whistleblower nurse for exercising her federally protected rights of conscience. The investigation will examine whether the pediatric hospital violated federal law known as the Church Amendments by firing a whistleblower nurse after she requested a religious accommodation to avoid administering puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children, which she opposed due to religious beliefs about the sterilization effects of these interventions.

“The Department will robustly enforce Federal laws protecting these courageous whistleblowers, including laws that protect health care professionals from being forced to violate their religious beliefs or moral convictions,” said Acting HHS OCR Director Anthony Archeval.

To view HHS’ whistleblower guidance or to submit a tip or complaint regarding the chemical or surgical mutilation of children, visit https://www.hhs.gov/protect-kids.