OKC Standard

Senator James Lankford, representing Oklahoma, has spearheaded an amicus curiae brief to the US Supreme Court concerning the case of Oklahoma v. Department of Health and Human Services. This legal action comes in response to the Biden Administration's decision to withhold healthcare funding from Oklahoma unless the state refers women for abortions. Lankford is joined by Senators Markwayne Mullin, Bill Cassidy, Steve Daines, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and the entire Oklahoma Congressional delegation.

"President Biden is obsessed with abortion on demand. Oklahomans should not have to miss out on funding for critical health services for women, including AIDS testing and cancer screenings, because of the Administration’s extreme abortion agenda. I am proud to lead my colleagues on this brief that puts actual health care ahead of abortion," stated Lankford.

Dr. Cassidy added his perspective: "The Biden-Harris administration has spent four years pushing its radical, pro-abortion agenda at every opportunity with alarming disregard for the conscience rights of health care providers." He expressed support for restoring Oklahoma's Title X funding and defending healthcare providers' rights.

Senator Daines voiced his concerns: "The Biden administration cares more about pushing a radically extreme abortion agenda than they do about actually protecting women’s health." He emphasized the importance of ensuring access to medical care while protecting employees from forced abortion referrals.

Hyde-Smith criticized the administration's approach: "The Biden administration’s decision to withhold crucial healthcare funding unless Oklahoma capitulates to its extreme abortion agenda is not just wrong; it sets a dangerous and coercive precedent."

The brief argues several points related to conscientious objections in healthcare:

- The Weldon amendment protects objections by institutions like the Oklahoma Department of Health.

- It applies regardless of objection reasons.

- Legal cases consider objections from objectors' perspectives.

Lankford has been active in advocating for life protection measures as part of his legislative efforts. He has previously written a letter urging HHS to reverse its suspension and introduced legislation clarifying non-discrimination against Title X grantees based on their stance on life protection.