Federal judges have dismissed lawsuits brought by Belmont Abbey and the State of Nebraska against the Department of Health and Human Services on the grounds that their suits are premature. The judges’ rulings rely on the fact that the federal government has not yet finalized its regulations and is not yet enforcing them against religious employers.[Nebraska ruling] [Belmont Abbey ruling]
U.S. appropriations bill modified to protect freedom of conscience
The U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor/HHS action has added two provisions to the annual appropriations bill which will deny the Department of Health and Human Services funding for enforcing regulations that suppress freedom of conscience. [CNA] [USCCB news release]
Canadian government to appeal assisted suicide/euthanasia ruling
The Canadian federal government announed that it will appeal the B.C. Supreme Court decision of Carter v. Canada that struck down the law against physician assisted suicide and euthanasia. [Globe and Mail]
US House of Representatives votes to repeal Affordable Care Act
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]
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]