FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2019
Cook County Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison releases statement on HHS
rule allowing discrimination in healthcare
CHICAGO, Ill. –May 2, 2019—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
announced today a finalized “conscience rule” that will excuse health care personnel from
participating in procedures to which they have a religious or moral objection. Cook County
Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison, who represents the northwest suburbs of Cook County and is
the first openly LGBTQ board member, released the following statement:
“I am disappointed, but not surprised, to see the conscience rule become finalized.
Healthcare is a human right and the implications this rule will have on access to care are
truly horrifying. A woman’s right to reproductive services or a transgender person’s
access to care should not be determined by someone else’s personal beliefs,” said
Commissioner Kevin Morrison. “The President and his administration will take any
opportunity to bring harm against marginalized communities and this decision will
endanger people’s lives.”
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