March 12, 2013
Dear Friend,
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Continuing Resolution, or CR, a bill that will fund the government for the rest of fiscal year 2013. Unfortunately, the House did not include the conscience protection language that we had requested.
I want to thank those who responded to our recent Action Alerts on this matter. Please be assured that the effort to pass conscience protection legislation will press forward. We anticipate that other “must-pass” bills will be debated by Congress as the year progresses. Also, on March 4, Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) introduced the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (H.R. 940). This measure contains the conscience protection language that we would like to see enacted into law as a way to correct the serious deficiencies in the Administration’s health care mandate.
We have updated our conscience protection message to Congress in the following ways:
- All Members of Congress are asked to support the Health Care Conscience Rights Act and are urged to include the bill in “must-pass” legislation.
- House Members also are asked to cosponsor H.R. 940.
Citizens from around the country will be able to send a message to the e-mail address that Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has for those who live outside his home district.
Please click on the link below and send your messages to Congress today!
Again, some background on the issue of primary concern. Under the new health care law, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires most health plans to cover “preventive services for women,” including services that many citizens find objectionable for moral and religious reasons. These objectionable services include sterilization, FDA-approved birth control (such as the IUD, Depo-Provera, ‘morning-after’ pills, and the abortion-inducing drug Ella), and “education and counseling” to promote these to all “women of reproductive capacity,” including minor girls. The HHS mandate allows only a very narrow exemption for a “religious employer.” On February 1, HHS released a new “proposed rule” that goes into greater detail on the “accommodation” but continues to allow only a very narrow exemption, chiefly aimed at what it calls “houses of worship.” Other religious organizations offering education, health care and charitable services to all in need do not qualify for the exemption. There is no exemption or delay for individuals, or for businesses owned and operated by individuals with moral or religious objections.
Thanks for all you do in support of life!
Michael Taylor
Executive Director
Click the link below to log in and send your message:
http://actions.nchla.org/link/target/nchla/iq5f9tcf.aspx
