Skip to main content
HR 940 113th Congress House Health Abortion Civil actions and liability Comprehensive health care Employee benefits and pensions Health care costs and insurance Health care coverage and access Health personnel Health programs administration and funding Legal fees and court costs Medical education Religion Sales and excise taxes

Health Care Conscience Rights Act

Introduced: March 4, 2013 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 12, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 8, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 4, 2013
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 4, 2013
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Health Care Conscience Rights Act - Amends title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to declare that nothing in such title shall require an individual to purchase individual health insurance coverage that includes coverage of an abortion or other item or service to which the individual has a moral or religious objection, or prevent an issuer from offering or issuing, to that individual, individual coverage excluding such item or service.

Makes similar denials about requiring a sponsor to sponsor, purchase, or provide such coverage, or a health insurance issuer or group health plan sponsor to cover an abortion or other item or service to which the sponsor or issuer has a moral or religious objection.

Denies also that such title authorizes imposition of a tax, penalty, fee, fine, or other sanction, or imposition of coverage of such an item or service, in relation to health insurance coverage or a group health plan that excludes such an item or service.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to codify the prohibition against any action by the federal government and any state or local government receiving federal financial assistance to subject a health professional, a hospital, a provider-sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, an accountable care organization, a health insurance plan, or any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan to discrimination on the basis that the entity refuses to participate in abortion-related activities.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate the Director of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive and investigate complaints alleging a violation of abortion discrimination prohibition.

Creates a cause of action for the Attorney General or any person or entity adversely affected to obtain equitable or legal relief for any violation of this abortion discrimination prohibition. Allows commencement of an action to be commenced and the granting of relief without a prerequisite pursuit of administrative remedies. Allows such an action against a federal or state governmental entity.

What's happening now March 12, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 159
Lance, Leonard
· Jan 21, 2014
MICA, JOHN
· Jan 13, 2014
Yoder, Kevin
· Jan 10, 2014
Shuster, Bill
· Dec 9, 2013
R
Valadao, David G.
California · Dec 3, 2013
Hunter, Duncan
· Nov 13, 2013
R
Stutzman, Marlin A.
Indiana · Nov 13, 2013
R
Smith, Jason
Missouri · Oct 22, 2013
Cook, Paul
· Jul 25, 2013
DeSantis, Ron
· Jul 17, 2013
R
Joyce, David P.
Ohio · Jul 17, 2013
THORNBERRY, WILLIAM
· Jul 8, 2013
Woodall, Rob
· Jul 8, 2013
Yoho, Ted
· Jun 26, 2013
R
Womack, Steve
Arkansas · Jun 18, 2013
Hensarling, Jeb
· Jun 6, 2013
Kinzinger, Adam
· Jun 4, 2013
Noem, Kristi
· Jun 4, 2013
Ross, Dennis
· Jun 3, 2013
R
Hudson, Richard
North Carolina · May 24, 2013
Stewart, Chris
· May 24, 2013
MCKEON, HOWARD
· May 23, 2013
Brooks, Mo
· May 22, 2013
Farenthold, Blake
· May 22, 2013
R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · May 22, 2013
R
Scott, Austin
Georgia · May 22, 2013
R
Barr, Andy
Kentucky · May 20, 2013
R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · May 20, 2013
Chaffetz, Jason
· May 20, 2013
COBLE, HOWARD
· May 20, 2013
CULBERSON, JOHN
· May 20, 2013
R
Guthrie, Brett
Kentucky · May 20, 2013
SHIMKUS, JOHN
· May 20, 2013
SMITH, LAMAR
· May 20, 2013
UPTON, FRED
· May 20, 2013
R
Young, Todd
Indiana · May 20, 2013
Harper, Gregg
· May 16, 2013
R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · May 16, 2013
Renacci, James
· May 16, 2013
WHITFIELD, EDWARD
· May 16, 2013
LATHAM, TOM
· May 15, 2013
R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · May 15, 2013
BARTON, JOE
· May 14, 2013
Bishop, Rob
· May 14, 2013
R
Calvert, Ken
California · May 14, 2013
Jenkins, Lynn
· May 14, 2013
Rogers, Mike
· May 14, 2013
Brooks, Susan
· May 6, 2013
R
Cotton, Tom
Arkansas · May 6, 2013
Amash, Justin
· Apr 26, 2013
Page 1 of 4 Next
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 940: Health Care Conscience Rights Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-940/
MLA
"H.R. 940: Health Care Conscience Rights Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-940/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 940, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-940/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 940: Health Care Conscience Rights Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-940/)
Report a problem