Tag: HHS preventive services mandate (USA)

American Academy of Family Physicians supports freedom of conscience

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) passed a resolution at a meeting in Philadelphia supporting freedom of conscience for physicians.  Resolution 507 (Physician Conscience Protection Rights) was proposed by the Florida chapter as a result of concerns about freedom of conscience generated by federal health care reforms.  The Congress of Delegates agreed that hysicians should be able to practise in accordance with their conscientious convictions, “without resulting in loss of licensure or significant financial penalty.”  Current policy of the organization is that physicians who are “uncomfortable” providing contraception should refer patients to colleagues willing to provide “the education and/or service.”  [MedPage Today]

 

Over 100 plaintiffs in lawsuits against U.S. government birth control mandate

The Becket Fund reports that more than 100 plaintiffs have now joined lawsuits against the federal government as a result of an administration regulation that forces employers to provide insurance for birth control and sterilization even if they object for reasons of conscience. [Becket Fund HHS Page]

 

Support access to health care? Protect conscience rights.

 Catholic Organizations Respond to HHS “Preventive Services” Mandate

Original Poster Ad

We, the undersigned, strongly support access to life-affirming health care for all, and the ability of secular and religious groups and individuals to provide and receive such care. That is why we have raised objections to a rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services forcing almost all private health plans to cover sterilization procedures and contraceptive drugs, including drugs that may cause an early abortion.

As written, the rule will force Catholic organizations that play a vital role in providing health care and other needed services either to violate their conscience or severely curtail those services. This would harm both religious freedom and access to health care.

The HHS mandate puts many faith-based organizations and individuals in an untenable position. But it also harms society as a whole by undermining a long American tradition of respect for religious liberty and freedom of conscience. In a pluralistic society, our health care system should respect the religious and ethical convictions of all. We ask Congress, the Administration, and our fellow Americans to acknowledge this truth and work with us to reform the law accordingly.

Robert B. Aguirre, President Catholic Association of Latino Leaders

Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight Knights of Columbus

F. DeKarlos Blackmon, OblSB, Supreme Knight/CEO Knights of Peter Claver

William J. Cox, President/CEO Alliance of Catholic Health Care

Michael Galligan-Stierle, PhD, President/CEO Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

John Garvey, JD, President The Catholic University of America

Sheila Gilbert, President National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul

John M. Haas, PhD, STL, President National Catholic Bioethics Center

Ken Hackett, President Catholic Relief Services

Jan R. Hemstad, MD, President Catholic Medical Association

Rev. John Jenkins, CSC, President University of Notre Dame

Patty Johnson, President National Council of Catholic Women

James G. Lindsay, Executive Director Catholic Volunteer Network

Stephen L. Mikochik, JD, Chair National Catholic Partnership on Disability

Karen M. Ristau, EdD, President National Catholic Educational Association

Geralyn C. Shelvin, Supreme Lady Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary

Rev. Larry Snyder, President Catholic Charities USA

Joanne Tomassi, National Regent Catholic Daughters of the Americas

The Most Rev. José Gomez Archbishop of Los Angeles Chairman , Migration and Refugee Services

The Most Rev. Timothy Dolan Archbishop of New York President United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Appeal of Missouri court ruling on HHS birth control mandate

U.S. District Judge Carole Jackson of St. Louis has dismissed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate brought by Frank O’Brien and his company, O’Brien Industrial Holdings LLC of St. Louis.  The suit challenged the federal government regulation that requires O’Brien to provide employees with insurance for contraceptives, embryocides and surgical sterilization.  A Catholic, O’Brien objects to facilitating any of the services for religious reasons.  The judge ruled that the indirect support did not substantially burden the free exercise of O’Brien’s religious beliefs.  Lawyer Frank Manion of the American Center for Law and Justice has filed an appeal on behalf of O’Brien.  [ACLJ comment][St. Louis-Post Dispatch][Religion Dispatches]

 

U.S. Catholic Medical Association focuses on freedom of conscience

600 Catholic physicians attending a four day conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, were warned that they are practising medicine in an increasingly toxic culture and that even physicians who do not follow Church teaching may be forced to do things that they believe to be wrong.  Bishop Robert Vasa of Santa Rosa, California told the audience that “American Catholic physicians, have to wake up to the fact that they can no longer presume that their individual choices about how they practice medicine in this country will be respected.”  John Brehany, the CMA’s executive director, described the current situation in the United States as a “very dangerous crisis.” [NCR]