LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has released its mandate for health care professionals seeking economic aid as part of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes a requirement that porn blockers be installed on the computer network of any facility receiving these funds.
Section 520 of HHS’ “Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions” applies to all healthcare providers, whether individuals or an entity, and declares the following:
None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
The porn-blocking requirement also bars COVID relief funds from being used for abortions or embryo research, excessive executive pay, promoting gun control or advocating for the legalization of controlled substances, such as marijuana, and "any project that entails the capture or procurement of chimpanzees obtained from the wild," among numerous other restrictions.
The HHS COVID Relief Fund Payment Terms & Conditions are available here.