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# Summary of H.R. 8857: Conscience Protection Act of 2024 The Conscience Protection Act of 2024 would prohibit the federal government and any recipient of federal healthcare funding from discriminating against healthcare entities that decline to provide, perform, refer for, or pay for abortions. The bill expands the definition of covered entities to include individual healthcare workers, hospitals, pharmacies, insurers, health plans, and training programs. The legislation would protect healthcare providers and organizations from penalties or retaliation based on their refusal to participate in abortion services, with limited exceptions for emergency care situations. The bill strengthens enforcement of existing federal conscience protection laws by designating the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate complaints and require corrective action. It also creates a private right of action allowing individuals and organizations to sue in federal court for violations without first exhausting administrative remedies, and permits the Attorney General to pursue civil cases seeking injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys' fees. The legislation covers approximately 25 existing federal conscience protection statutes spanning healthcare programs, including provisions related to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and global health initiatives. The bill includes no specific funding allocation or implementation timeline.

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