HHS launches investigation into Michigan hospital over religious rights violation

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opened an investigation June 20 into a Michigan hospital accused of firing a medical worker for refusing to participate in so-called “gender-affirming” procedures that violated her religious beliefs.

According to an HHS statement, the unnamed employee requested religious accommodations to opt out of using patients’ preferred pronouns and participating in “sex trait modification” procedures. She was later terminated by the hospital, which the department did not identify.

The investigation centers on the Church Amendments, federal laws passed in the 1970s that protect health care professionals from being forced to perform or assist with certain medical procedures — such as abortion and sterilization — that conflict with their religious or moral convictions. 

These statutes prohibit discrimination against workers who object on conscience grounds.

“OCR is committed to enforcing Federal conscience laws in health care,” OCR Director Paula M. Stannard said in a statement. “Health care workers should be able to practice both their professions and their faith.”

The latest investigation marks the third conscience rights case opened by HHS since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, reflecting his administration’s renewed focus on protecting religious liberty in health care. 

In April and May, HHS launched similar investigations into two other hospitals facing allegations of firing employees over conscience objections.

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