By a margin of 244 sto 185, the Republican controlled House of Representatives has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform legislation recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Act is the basis for the administration’s plan to force employers to pay for insurance for contraceptives, embryocides and sterilization, despite moral or religious objections. [WENY-TV]
Category: United States
Lutheran Church in Missouri supports freedom of conscience
Although the Lutheran Church does not object to contraception, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has announced support for Catholics who oppose federal guidelines that would force employers to pay for insurance for contraceptives, embryocides and sterilization, despite moral or religious objections. The he 2.3-million-member synod does oppose products that have an embryocidal effect. [State Journal Register]
U.S. Supreme Court upholds federal health care reform law
A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform law that is the basis for the controversial “contraceptive mandate” being forced on employers by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The decision does not deal with the mandate itself.
Objecting guard, Sheriff can be sued for refusing morning after pill to prisoner
A federal judge in Tampa, Florida has ruled that a rape complainant who was a prisoner can sue the Hillsborough County Sheriff because a guard, citing religious belief, refused to give her a prescribed morning after pill. The complainant was arrested on an outstanding warrant when she made a complaint of rape. She had taken one of two prescribed pills, but the second was seized with her effects when she was jailed, and the guard refused to provide it when she asked for it [Courthouse News][Ruling 13 June, 2012]. The judge had previously ruled that the guard could be sued.
Fortnight for Freedom begins in USA
Catholics in the United States are being asked by their bishops to participate in a “Fortnight for Freedom” in defence of freedom of conscience and religion. The fortnight runs from 21 June, 2012 (the eve of the feast of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher) to 4 July, 2012. The Catholic Association is among the groups that has proposed an action plan for the event. The National Catholic Partnership on Disability has also posted suggestions.