The news finally broke that the mandate is being adjusted to respect these conscience rights. It has been a long and draining road to get here but we arrived. Stay alert to ensure this protection stays in place.
May 6, 2012
We need HR 1179 immediately, because “pregnancy is not a disease, & children are not a ‘health problem’"
Final supporters
As per its 8/1/11 press release,
"The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sharply criticized a new HHS 'preventive services' mandate requiring private health plans to cover female surgical sterilization and all drugs and devices approved by the FDA as contraceptives, including drugs which can attack a developing unborn child before and after implantation in the mother’s womb.
"'Although this new rule gives the agency the discretion to authorize a 'religious' exemption, it is so narrow as to exclude most Catholic social service agencies and healthcare providers,' said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
"'For example, under the new rule our institutions would be free to act in accord with Catholic teaching on life and procreation only if they were to stop hiring and serving non-Catholics,' Cardinal DiNardo continued. 'Could the federal government possibly intend to pressure Catholic institutions to cease providing health care, education and charitable services to the general public? Health care reform should expand access to basic health care for all, not undermine that goal.'
"'The Administration’s failure to create a meaningful conscience exemption to the preventive services mandate underscores the need for Congress to approve the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act,' the Cardinal said. That bill (H.R. 1179), introduced by Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK), would prevent mandates under the new health reform law from undermining rights of conscience....
"'HHS says the intent of its "preventive services" mandate is to help "stop health problems before they start," said Cardinal DiNardo. 'But pregnancy is not a disease, and children are not a "health problem" – they are the next generation of Americans.'
"'It’s now more vital than ever that Congress pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act to close the gaps in conscience protection in the new health care reform act, so employers and employees alike will have the freedom to choose health plans in accordance with their deeply held moral and religious beliefs.'
"In a July 22 letter supporting the bill, Cardinal DiNardo wrote: 'Those who sponsor, purchase and issue health plans should not be forced to violate their deeply held moral and religious convictions in order to take part in the health care system or provide for the needs of their families or their employees. To force such an unacceptable choice would be as much a threat to universal access to health care as it is to freedom of conscience.'"
Updates
February 9, 2012
Seeing this momentum gather brings a sense of relief that is hard to put into words. It has been a long and draining road but knowing so many of you agree on the necessity of this protection keeps me moving forward.
Reached 100 supporters
February 9, 2012
6 Comments
Religious freedom is being completely eroded. Government has no right to force their agenda on our institutions.
Totally unacceptable. HR 1179 needs to happen now before they shut down more religious charities.
This is a direct attack on catholic healthcare providers. Stand up for rights!
Ridiculous mandate. Keep your hands off our healthcare choices and respect the teachings of the church.
Enough is enough. My tax dollars should not be paying for stuff that goes against my values.
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The news finally broke that the mandate is being adjusted to respect these conscience rights. It has been a long and draining road to get here but we arrived. Stay alert to ensure this protection stays in place.
May 6, 2012
We need HR 1179 immediately, because “pregnancy is not a disease, & children are not a ‘health problem’"
Final supporters
As per its 8/1/11 press release,
"The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sharply criticized a new HHS 'preventive services' mandate requiring private health plans to cover female surgical sterilization and all drugs and devices approved by the FDA as contraceptives, including drugs which can attack a developing unborn child before and after implantation in the mother’s womb.
"'Although this new rule gives the agency the discretion to authorize a 'religious' exemption, it is so narrow as to exclude most Catholic social service agencies and healthcare providers,' said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
"'For example, under the new rule our institutions would be free to act in accord with Catholic teaching on life and procreation only if they were to stop hiring and serving non-Catholics,' Cardinal DiNardo continued. 'Could the federal government possibly intend to pressure Catholic institutions to cease providing health care, education and charitable services to the general public? Health care reform should expand access to basic health care for all, not undermine that goal.'
"'The Administration’s failure to create a meaningful conscience exemption to the preventive services mandate underscores the need for Congress to approve the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act,' the Cardinal said. That bill (H.R. 1179), introduced by Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK), would prevent mandates under the new health reform law from undermining rights of conscience....
"'HHS says the intent of its "preventive services" mandate is to help "stop health problems before they start," said Cardinal DiNardo. 'But pregnancy is not a disease, and children are not a "health problem" – they are the next generation of Americans.'
"'It’s now more vital than ever that Congress pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act to close the gaps in conscience protection in the new health care reform act, so employers and employees alike will have the freedom to choose health plans in accordance with their deeply held moral and religious beliefs.'
"In a July 22 letter supporting the bill, Cardinal DiNardo wrote: 'Those who sponsor, purchase and issue health plans should not be forced to violate their deeply held moral and religious convictions in order to take part in the health care system or provide for the needs of their families or their employees. To force such an unacceptable choice would be as much a threat to universal access to health care as it is to freedom of conscience.'"
Updates
February 9, 2012
Seeing this momentum gather brings a sense of relief that is hard to put into words. It has been a long and draining road but knowing so many of you agree on the necessity of this protection keeps me moving forward.
Reached 100 supporters
February 9, 2012
6 Comments
This is America. Nobody should be forced to violate their own conscience because of some government rule.
Religious freedom is being completely eroded. Government has no right to force their agenda on our institutions.
Totally unacceptable. HR 1179 needs to happen now before they shut down more religious charities.
This is a direct attack on catholic healthcare providers. Stand up for rights!
Ridiculous mandate. Keep your hands off our healthcare choices and respect the teachings of the church.
Enough is enough. My tax dollars should not be paying for stuff that goes against my values.
Share Petition
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This is America. Nobody should be forced to violate their own conscience because of some government rule.