Murphy, Lankford Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Restore Conscience Protections for Medical Residents

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., introduced the Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act to prohibit residency programs from compelling medical residents to participate in abortion training and discriminating against individuals who do not complete the optional training.

"Medical residents should not be compelled to participate in abortion training if it violates their conscience," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Opting out of such training enables potential retaliation by faculty who have enormous power over residents and their future success. Pursuing an elective abortion is not the same as receiving lifesaving care, such as for miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies, and training should reflect that. This issue is about restoring a non-ideological educational environment where individuals do not fear expressing moral or religious objections."

"Medical residents should never be pressured to violate their beliefs in order to finish their training or advance in their careers," said Senator James Lankford (OK). "Many went into medicine to protect life, not take it. No one should have to choose between their conscience and their future in medicine. Our bill makes that clear and ensures medical students and residents can follow their convictions as they care for their patients."

Background
Currently, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which accredits medical residency programs, requires that medical residents with moral or religious objections be allowed to opt-out of abortion training. However, this opt-out system exerts unethical pressure on residents by placing them at risk of being targeted for their beliefs if they opt-out of abortion training. 

The bill prohibits residency programs from requiring opt-out abortion training and prohibits discrimination on the basis that the individual does not voluntarily choose to opt-in to undergo such training or perform, assist in, or provide counseling or referrals for abortions. 

Supporting Organizations
AAPLOG Action , SBA Pro-Life America, Americans United for Life, National Right to Life, Center for Urban Renewal and Education, CatholicVote, Vitae Foundation, Human Coalition, March for Life, Heartbeat International, Students for Life Action, Family Planning Alliance, Ethics and Religious Liberty Coalition, Live Action, Heritage Action, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, Liberty Counsel, Liberty Counsel Action, Family Research Council, and Alliance Defending Freedom.