The U.S. Congress has taken one step closer to ending religious protections—and medical judgment for health professionals—on gender issues, by passing the Equality Act by a largely partisan vote in the House of 224 – 206.

This radical legislation, a top priority of the Biden Administration and the Democrat Party that controls Congress, would literally remove religious freedom protections on gender issues and replace medical judgment with governmental coercion regarding treatment of children and adult patients experiencing gender dysphoria.

The Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), which has been fighting in court to strike down a similarly coercive Obama-era transgender mandate, outlined reasons for opposing the Equality Act in a letter to Members of Congress.

The letter, by Senior Vice President of Bioethics and Public Policy Dr. Jeffrey Barrows and me, asserts, “We oppose this bill as health professionals who endeavor to treat all patients with respect and compassion, in accordance with sound medical judgment and ethics. As national polling evidences, virtually all faith-based health professionals ‘care for all patients in need, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identification, or family makeup, with sensitivity and compassion, even when I cannot validate their choices.’

“Although the Equality Act text asserts that its goal is to ‘prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation,’ in fact it would severely discriminate against millions of Americans who hold a viewpoint that differs from the ideology of the bill’s sponsors.”

The letter lays out myriad reasons for opposing the bill, noting that the Act:

1. Discriminates by overriding the Religious Freedom Restoration Act;
2. Turns moral opposition to abortion into an act of discrimination;
3. Replaces objective science and biology with subjective ideology;
4. Coerces all Americans into adopting a particular ideological viewpoint;
5. Overrides science-based medical judgment, and;
6. Endangers, discriminates against and eliminates opportunities for females.

If the Equality Act now passes the Democrat-controlled Senate, President Biden will sign this radical bill into law. That law will provide activists with all the ammunition they need to take to court and drive out of medicine any health institution or health professional who abides by biblical morals, Hippocratic ethics and faith-informed conscience convictions.

If that describes you, don’t depend on others to stop this train barreling toward a crowd of faith-based, pro-life health professionals on the tracks. Arm yourself with knowledge and act now to stop this bill in the U.S. Senate:

1. Read the CMDA letter, which details each of these points and backs up assertions with the actual bill text.
2. Learn more about the Equality Act on our Freedom2Care webpage.
3. Contact your senators about the Equality Act by using our 10-second action form.