Tell Federal Government to Respect Religious Freedom in Health Care Reform

Take Action!
Comment Period Ends September 30

Issue: Our religious liberty is being threatened by the US Department of Health and Human Services, which is mandating that all private health insurance plans cover surgical sterilization procedures and birth control, including the IUD, 'morning-after' pills and abortion-inducing drugs. It also would require that females of reproductive age be 'educated and counseled' on these issues.

HHS is accepting public comments on its proposed regulations until September 30. This move is part of the Department's efforts to enact the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

This mandate even forces individuals and groups with religious or moral objections to purchase and provide such coverage if they are to receive or provide health coverage at all. This poses an unprecedented threat to individual and institutional religious freedom. What are missing are any real opt-outs for the Catholic Church and other religious institutions to not offer health insurance with these mandates. And what about the individual who does not want to contribute to these procedures?

Maryland's Bishops have written Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and their letter is posted on the Conference's website, along with other information on health care.

Action: Submit your written comments urging that the sweeping contraceptive mandate to be removed.

Please send an e-mail message to HHS through the NCHLA Grassroots Action Center. Click HERE.

Personal comments can be added. All comments and information submitted to HHS will be made available online. NCHLA will forward only your name (first and last) and your message.

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