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.”
Category: United States
Sebelius defends forced coverage: USA Today editorial opposes it
Writing in USA Today, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has defended her plan to force employers to pay for insurance coverage for surgical sterilization, contraceptives, and embryocidal drugs. She avoids the issue of coercion of employers entirely and claims that the narrow ‘religious exemption’ is adequate, despite nationwide protests to the contrary [See Map of institutions resisting the HHS “preventive services” mandate]. The USA Today editorial stated that “the Obama administration didn’t just cross” the line separating church and stated, but “galloped over it, requiring employers affiliated with the Catholic Church to include free birth control in their health insurance plans.”
Archbishop’s letter to congregation censored by US military authorities
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who is in charge of Catholic chaplains in the U.S. military, asked them to read to their congregations at mass a pastoral letter protesting the Obama administration’s plan to force employers with over 50 employees to provide insurance coverage for surgical sterilization, contraceptives, and embryocidal drugs. The letter, like many of those from other US Catholic bishops read from pulpits across the country, stated, “We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law.”
The Army’s Office of the Chief of Chaplains sent an e-mail ordering Catholic chaplains not to read the letter, directing them to mention it in bulletins and have printed copies available. A number of chaplains are reported to have disobeyed the order, while others contacted the Archbishop. The Archbishop spoke to the Secretary of the Army, who confirmed that the Chief of Chaplains had acted improperly. As a result of the discussion with the Secretary, a censored version of the letter was read to congregations. The original is available on the military archdiocese website. [CNS News]
Presidential hopeful promises to revoke forced birth control regulation
Mitt Romney, one of the front-runners seeking nomination as the Republican Party’s candidate in the 2012 presidential election, has spoken out in support of Catholic bishops opposing the Obama administration’s regulation that will force employers with over 50 employees to provide insurance coverage for surgical sterilization, contraceptives, and embryocidal drugs. He states, “Such rules don’t belong in the America that I believe in.” [Romney Blog] However, opponents may recall that, while governor of Massachusetts, he refused to exempt Catholic hospitals from a requirement to dispense the morning-after pill to rape complainants.[Boston Globe]
Speaker of U.S. House considers HHS mandate unconstitutional
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner has stated that he believes the HHS “preventive services” contraceptive mandate violates the U.S. constitution, and expressed hope that the Obama administration would reconsider it. White House Press Secretary said that the issue was not being reconsidered: ” the decision has been made.” [ Associated Press]