In the US, new rules have been issued to protect doctors and nurses with a conscientious objection to abortion [1].
The new regulations of the Department of Health and Human Services means medical personnel can’t be forced into doing abortions or abortion referrals. In Ireland, pro-life doctors who won’t perform abortions are required to refer women to doctors who will.
Prior to this, a lack of clarity meant pro-life doctors and nurses were vulnerable to discrimination that forced them out of their chosen specialties.
Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Director Roger Severino said the new rule ensures that medical professionals won’t be bullied out of health care because they decline to participate in actions that violate their conscience.