Attorney General Becerra: Trump Administration Should Focus on Expanding Healthcare Access, Not Providing a License to Discriminate

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today expressed his strong opposition to the Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed regulations allowing healthcare providers to refuse to provide care based on religious or moral objections. The proposed regulations jeopardize crucial funding for California’s healthcare programs and would create barriers to access to care for women, LGBTQ individuals, and other Californians. 

“The Trump Administration should focus on expanding healthcare access—not granting health professionals a license to discriminate,” said Attorney General Becerra. “All Californians deserve access to healthcare no matter who they are, where they live, or where they seek medical care. California has come too far in protecting the rights of women, LGBTQ individuals, and other targeted populations to go backwards. The Trump Administration should withdraw this harmful rule.”

In the comment letter to HHS, Attorney General Becerra asserts the proposed rule:

• Targets California and its interest in protecting its residents, healthcare industry, licensees, and consumer protections;
• Exceeds congressional authority; and 
• Undermines the Constitution and federal law, including the Affordable Care Act, Title X, Title VII, and the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

A copy of the comment letter is attached to the electronic version of this release at oag.ca.gov/news