Story highlights The Trump administration has sought to roll back attempts to guarantee care in spite of moral objections

HHS announced the creation of a new "Conscience" division on Thursday

(CNN) The Department of Health and Human Services announced a rule Thursday aimed at protecting health care workers who cite moral or religious reasons to not provide certain medical procedures.

HHS said its move establishes "conscience protections," whereby the department's Office for Civil Rights would take the side of individuals who do not want to provide services, such as abortion, that they say conflict with their morals or religion.

The department said in its announcement that it is creating a new division, dubbed the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division, within its civil rights office that will devote resources and personnel to enforcing the new guidelines and ensuring compliance.

California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the No. 2 Republican in the House, spoke at the announcement on Thursday, praising the rule and blasting the department's policies under former President Barack Obama.

"In the past, this department's silent refusal to defend our rights sent a very clear message: Now is not the time for freedom; it is the time for you to conform," McCarthy said. "What a difference one year makes."

Read More