The regulation, which would cost over $44 million to go into effect, would request federal funding from employers or institutions that dismiss healthcare workers who refuse to participate in abortions or provide abortion information.

"People should not be forced to say or do things they believe are morally wrong," Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt explained. "Health-care workers should not be forced to provide services that violate their own conscience,” he added.

However, the regulation does not classify anymore several types of contraception as abortion, following complaints by family planning groups in what concerns a previous draft, which would have defined abortion to include birth control pills and the intrauterine device.

Both enthusiasts and critics of the move said that the language remained sufficiently broad to affect contraceptives, in addition to many other fields in medicine.

The regulation, which would be implemented after a 30-day comment period, is considered by conservative groups, anti-abortion advocate groups and others essential so as to protect health workers from being fired or penalized in any way. On the other hand, opponent activists said the regulation could generate far-reaching difficulties regarding numerous health services.

"The Bush administration's proposed regulation poses a serious threat to women's health care by limiting the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate health information and services," said Cecile Richards of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, according to The Washington Post.

Mike Leavitt explained the new regulation was proposed following distressing reports which showed that health professionals were being forced to perform services they considered revolting.