WASHINGTON DC - Nine members of the Illinois Congressional delegation have signed onto legislation that would protect the rights of Americans to act in accordance with their consciences. As unbelievable as it is in a nation with a constitution affirming the right to practice religion as one of its most precious, federal legislation, H.R. 1179, has been joined by 102 House co-sponsors, including Republican members Randy Hultgren, Adam Kinzinger, Don Manzullo, Peter Roskam, Robert Schilling, Aaron Schock and Joe Walsh. Two Democrats from Illinois - Jerry Costello and Dan Lipinski have also signed on.
On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed the rule first issued last August that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. Non-profit religious employers that do not now provide such coverage, and are not exempt under the rule’s extremely narrow definition of religious employer, are given one year to comply.
Responding to the announcement, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, stated: “In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.” The Obama administration “has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand.” Cardinal-designate Dolan urged that the HHS mandate be overturned. See: www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-012.cfm.
A first step is to continue to urge Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system “retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions.”
NCHLA’s Action Alert on this bill has been updated. Please see: nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292.
For co-sponsors, please check H.R. 1179 and S. 1467 at: thomas.loc.gov.
For more information related to the HHS mandate, see: www.usccb.org/conscience.
