Support Respect for Rights of Conscience Act
Overview:
On August 1, the Administration’s contraceptive and sterilization mandate went into effect. Congress must take action now to protect religious liberty and conscience rights. During the August recess, please contact your Representative and two Senators. Urge Members to support and work for enactment of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) this year, whether as a free-standing bill or as part of other legislation.
Background:
Under the new health care law, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) now requires most health plans under the “preventive services for women” category to cover 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.” Religious organizations providing education, health care and charitable services to all in need have a one-year delay in enforcement but 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.
Cardinal DiNardo, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, wrote to Congress on August 3 renewing the bishops’ call for prompt action. Click Here
The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act provides protection of the religious beliefs and moral convictions of those who participate in the health care system. By incorporating protection of conscience rights into the new health care law, it will ensure respect for conscience in the face of the new contraceptive mandate. It must become law as soon as possible.
Action:
Please contact your U.S. congressperson and senators by using the suggested message below and urge their support for the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.
Please support and work for the enactment of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) this year. As of August 1, the Administration’s contraceptive mandate went into effect for most employers. This mandate requires most health plans to cover sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, even when employers and employees have moral or religious objections.
To find out more about the HHS issue and other public policy concerns please click on the link below to listen to the recent radio interview with Jenny Kraska with Bishop Sheridan of the Diocese of Colorado Springs.
UNITED STATES SENATE - COLORADO
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - COLORADO
Congressional District 1
Congresswoman Diana DeGette D
Congressional District 2
Congressman Jared Polis D
Congressional District 3
Congressman Scott Tipton R
Congressional District 4
Congressman Cory Gardner R
Congressional District 5
Congressman Douglas Lamborn R
Congressional District 6
Congressman Mike Coffman R
Congressional District 7
Congressman Ed Perlmutter D
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