New York, NY, April 6, 2009 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed support for a proposal by the Obama Administration to rescind a regulation that undermines a patient's access to health care information and services.

The original rule, which was promulgated by the previous administration near the end of its term, permitted health care providers to deny reproductive health services to patients because it offended the providers' conscience.  

Deborah Lauter, ADL Civil Rights Director, issued the following statement:

ADL strongly supports religious accommodation rights in the workplace.  However, we believe an appropriate balance must be found between accommodating the religious observances of some, and discriminating against others.

A religious workplace accommodation that infringes upon the fundamental right of a woman to choose contraceptive or abortion services, or jeopardizes access to proper medical care, is unconstitutional, as well as bad public policy. 

The original rule significantly limits patients' access to both health care services and important information about their health care options.  It has the effect of denying access to services to thousands of women, especially those who live in rural areas or who are otherwise underserved.

We agree with the Administration that this dangerous and discriminatory rule must be rescinded.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.