Category: United States

CMA Physicians Compare HHS Position on Births to China’s in Comments Filed Opposing Contraceptives Mandate

NEWS RELEASE

Christian Medical Association

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2012 /Standard Newswire/ — The 16,000-member Christian Medical Association (CMA) has filed official comments opposing as “unlawful, unprecedented, unwise and un-American” a U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule that forces virtually all health insurance plans in the country to provide free contraceptive pills, devices and surgeries on demand regardless of users’ ability to pay.

The CMA document deplores the fact that “The administration is instituting a decidedly un-American policy that (a) classifies pregnancy as a disease requiring mandated treatment and (b) advocates the prevention of child-bearing as a health care cost savings. Unlike communist leaders in countries like China, Americans historically have not viewed pregnancy as a disease or children as an unwelcome product posing a cost burden.”

The comments of CMA and other groups were filed with HHS before the June 19 deadline for public comments on the rule, which has generated nationwide protests over what opponents consider a frontal assault on religious freedom, since the rule does not exempt most religious employers who object to the drugs on moral grounds.

CMA CEO Dr. David Stevens noted, “The contraceptives and sterilization mandate affects all people no matter what their faith is, and it is an attack on our first and most precious rights. Religious freedom and respect for conscience are among the most important issues that all people of faith face. This is a battle we dare not lose.”

CMA Executive VP Dr. Gene Rudd added, “While researchers continue to debate whether certain mandated drugs labeled as contraceptive may actually end the life of a developing human embryo, the mandated drug Ella almost certainly has such a post-fertilization effect; it’s the only way to explain the effectiveness rates claimed for the drug. What we have learned during this debate over the potential abortifacient nature of certain contraceptives is that those with a social agenda will deceive to achieve.”

The Christian Medical Association document asserted that the HHS mandate is unlawful and unprecedented in that it violates abortion-related provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the law under which the mandate is enacted), federal laws protecting conscience rights and constitutional protections for religious liberty and just compensation.

CMA also noted that besides violating constitutional religious liberties, the mandate also “offers no accommodation options whatsoever to protect secular conscientious objectors.”

The CMA comments conclude, “The administration retains only two realistic options regarding this unlawful, unprecedented, unwise and un-American policy: rescind the policy or face defeat in the courts. The CMA encourages rescission of this policy in its entirety.”

Contact: Margie Shealy, VP for Communications, Christian Medical & Dental Associations, 423-844-1047; www.Freedom2Care.org

Catholic Health Association now opposes contraceptive mandate

The Catholic Health Association of the United States, which first responded favourably to a claim by the Obama administration that it would accommodate religious objectors, has now formally stated its opposition to the plans to force employers to provide health insurance for contraception, embryocidal drugs and devices and sterilization.

Mormon physicians protest mandatory contraception coverage

The Collegium Aesculapium Foundation, an independent organization of Mormon physicians and health care professionals, has submitted a formal comment criticizing the Obama adminstration’s plan to force employers to provide health insurance forembryocidal drugs and devices and sterilization, despite moral or religious objections.

US Catholic bishops meeting focuses on freedom of conscience

At a meeting of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore argued that the bishops must support freedom of conscience for individuals, including small businessmen and other employers who object to providing insurance coverage for contraception, embryodical drugs and devices and  sterilization.  The Papal Nuncio told the audience that it was important for the Church to speak with one voice.  Several related initiatives were discussed. [Natiional Catholic Register]

Accuracy of morning after pill labels disputed

A New York Times article outlines the controversy concerning the morning after pill over whether or not the drug may have an embryocidal effect by interfering with implantation.  In brief, though the FDA approved labels state that the drug can have that effect, and such statements can be found on the National Institutes of Health and Mayo Clinic websites, there is increasing evidence that Plan B (the most commonly used version of the drug in the USA) does not have that effect.  Enquiries by the New York Times led to the deletion of reference to an implantation effect on the website of A.D.A.M., which writes the entries for the NIH website.  Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said that he would be “relieved” if the drug did not affect implantation, but did not believe that the issue had been resolved.