Statement of Ann Twomey, President

On US Health and Human Services new “Division on Conscience”

The mission of the US Health & Human Services (HHS) department has always been and should continue to be protecting the health and wellbeing of American families.  With the announcement of a special division that would allow healthcare workers to discriminate against patients based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, the federal government is putting the health of millions of Americans at risk.

Our obligation as healthcare workers is to treat every patient, with equal care and respect, but the Trump administration and HHS has just put that time-honored and sacred obligation last, under the guise of religious freedom.

Emergency rooms are not just the frontline for identifying physical illness but also where millions of at risk youth go to when struggling with mental health.  No patient should ever be turned away or left to feel further alienated by our medical providers. It is our hope that every healthcare facility in New Jersey will continue to ensure the safety of all patients that enter their doors.

HPAE is the largest union of registered nurses and health care professionals in New Jersey. Since its founding by Englewood Hospital nurses in 1974, HPAE has expanded across the state and into Southeastern Pennsylvania representing 13,000 nurses, social workers, therapists, technicians, medical researchers, and other health care professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks, and university research facilities.  HPAE is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.