Category: Countries

Hawaii cited as model of possible compromise in birth control insurance controversy

A Hawaiian law concerning insurance for contraceptive coverage has been cited as a model for a possible compromise between the Obama administration and religious groups that have made clear that they will resist or refuse to obey its new birth control regulation.  Organizations in Hawaii that object to contraception for religious reasons may decline to provide health insurance coverage for it if they advise employees that it is not available and tell them where coverage can be obtained.  It is reported that it is generally successful, but that there are some problems with the arrangement. [NCR]

 

Nebraska will sue to prevent forced birth control coverage

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning has written to Attorneys General in the other 49 US states inviting them to join a court case that will be launched by Nebraska to stop the Obama administration from forcing objecting employers to pay for insurance coverage for surgical sterilization, contraceptives, and embryocidal drugs.  He described the adminstration regulation as “an unconscionable intrusion on religious liberties.”  [Associated Press]

 

Southern Baptists denounce forced birth control insurance

A statement from the Southern Baptists has denounced the Obama administration’s regulation that will force employers to provide insurance coverage for surgical sterilization, contraceptives, and embryocidal drugs.  The statement describes the regulation as  “a clear violation of our nation’s commitment to liberty of conscience and a flagrant violation of our constitutional protection to freedom of religion.”  It was signed by Richard Land, President of the Southern Baptist’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission since 1988, and Barrett Duke one of the Commission’s directors.

 

Prominent Evangelical Christian leader supports Catholic opposition to forced birth control regulation

Rick Warren, a prominent Evangelical Christan pastor, has published a “tweet” stating, “I’m not a Catholic but I stand in 100% solidarity with my brothers & sisters to practice their belief against govt pressure.”

 

154 members of US Congress protest HHS regulation forcing birth control coverage

154 members of the US House of Representatives from both Democratic and Republican parties have signed a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stating that the regulation that forces objecting employers to provide insurance coverage for surgical sterilization, contraceptives, and embryocidal  drugs is “an unprecedented overreach by the federal government that infringes upon rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.”  They asked that the regulation be suspended until it is certain that employers and individuals “are afforded their constitutionally protected rights.”