NYC, state join legal fight over ‘moral conviction’ health care rule

New York City and state are joining up with a coalition of more than 20 state and local governments in a lawsuit to block a new rule issued by the federal government that opponents say would allow health care providers to deny treatment based on their personal views.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, alleges that a new rule by the US Department of Health and Human Services would allow individuals and businesses to refuse health-care services based on religious beliefs and “moral convictions” — which the plaintiffs say would disproportionately affect patients seeking procedures such as abortions and assisted suicides.