The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is standing up to the Obama ruling to mandate insurance coverage of contraceptives, sterilization, abortive agents, and abortions.
Just last week, the Supreme Court upheld religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment, saying that churches have the right to choose their own ministers without government interference. Yet, days later, HHS (Health and Human Services) under Kathleen Sebelius in the Obama asministration, ruled that all employers must provide insurance coverage for employees of particular items and procedures even if such coverage ran contrary to the teaching of their faith.
Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the USCCB, and current archbishop of New York, sharply criticized the decision by the Obama administration in which it "ordered almost every employer and insurer in the country to provide sterilization and contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans....Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This shouldn't happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights."
He urged Catholics and the public to watch his video and then take action by contacting their representatives in Washington and protesting the ruling. The Obama administration promised a conscience clause that would accomdate matters of faith, and yet, this ruling will override it. The exemption provided for "religious employers" is so narrow that it fails to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations, including Catholic hospitals, universities, and service organizations that help millions every year. "Ironically, not even Jesus and his disciples would have qualified."
The rule issued by Sebelius forces nearly all private health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices, as well as surgical sterilization. These are listed among "preventive services for women" that all health plans will have to cover without co-pays or other cost-sharing -- regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself objects to such coverage. During the public comment period last fall, the bishops' grassroots campaign alone generated over 57,000 comments to HHS opposing their mandate. However, HHS has totally ignored those comments and the concerns raised by them.
With this rule now in effect, the bishops are now urging Catholics and others who recognize and understand the value of life, to fight this unprecedented attack on conscience rights and religious liberty. Bishops all over the country have sent letters to their churches to be read at Masses this weekend. The letter urges all Catholics to pray and fast for a reversal of this ruling and to register their opposition with their elected representatives.
To correct the threats to religious liberty and rights of conscience posed by PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system “retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions.” It is more important than ever that Members of Congress be urged to co-sponsor this measure and to pass it.
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