Catholic Pro-Life Committee

Last August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a list of “preventive services for women” to be mandated in almost all private health plans under the new health care law. This will include sterilization, all 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.” HHS’s rule allows only a very narrow exemption for a “religious employer.” Religious organizations providing education, health care and charitable services to all in need cannot qualify for the exemption. On February 10, despite a storm of protest, President Obama adopted this policy as a final rule “without change” (Federal Register, 2/15/12, 8725). Religious organizations that cannot qualify for the exemption will have an extra year to comply; but before the end of that period, an additional rule will be issued to make sure that their employees receive the mandated coverage despite the employer’s objection.

Additional Rulemaking: In a March 21 notice proposing additional rulemaking, the Administration suggests various ways the new mandate can be applied to religious organizations (Federal Register, 3/21/12, 16501-08). The public has until June 19 to submit comments. The fundamental legal and moral concerns about government intrusion into religious ministries are not addressed. Whatever funding and administrative mechanisms are ultimately chosen, many deeply religious institutions that serve the common good will be forbidden to provide their own employees or students with health coverage consistent with their values.

Corrective Legislation: The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) 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.” On March 1, the Senate voted, 51-yes, 48-no, to table this bill when it was presented as Senate Amendment 1520 to the Transportation Authorization Bill (Vote Number 24). As Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), the amendment’s sponsor, stated: “This fight is not over.” Continue to urge your Representatives and Senators to support and pass this bill.

ACTION: Stand in solidarity with our Bishops in defense of our religious freedom and conscience rights by:

1. Committing yourself to prayer and fasting "that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored" and

2. Click here to send an e-mail message to HHS regarding the March 21 rulemaking notice and a message to Congress in support of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. (Written comments can be sent by U.S. Mail to: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-9968-ANPRM, P.O. Box 8016, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Additional Congressional contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at: www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.)

Message to HHS: The Administration’s “advance notice” does not correct the fundamental problems in its contraceptive mandate.

Both the coercive mandate itself, and its extremely narrow exemption for “religious employers,” remain unchanged. Almost all private health plans, even those sponsored by many religious organizations, will be required to pay for or facilitate coverage for sterilization and all FDA-approved “contraceptives,” including drugs that can cause abortion. This coverage will be provided “automatically” to employees and their dependents, including minors, whether the employees want the coverage or not. Employers will have no right to act on their values when they provide health coverage. Employees, and those who provide or purchase health insurance outside the employer context, will have no freedom to opt out.

I urge you to allow all organizations and individuals to offer, sponsor and obtain health coverage that does not violate their moral and religious convictions.

Message to Congress: Please support and work for passage of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). The Administration’s decision to mandate coverage of sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes passage of this measure especially urgent. The March 21 HHS notice of additional rulemaking does not change the coercive mandate itself or its extremely narrow exception for “religious employers.” The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act will ensure that the religious liberty and conscience rights of all participants in our nation’s health care system are respected.

WHEN: The deadline for comments to HHS is June 19. Please act today! Thanks!

1/26/12 Letter from Bishop Kevin J. Farrell to All Dallas Diocese Catholics

"My brother bishops and I cannot—will not—comply with this unjust law."

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Catholic Church in the United States and strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. . . .

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees' health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those "services" in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies. . . .

In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, . . . [and] denies us as Catholics our nation's first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. Read entire letter here. (en español)